Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, a group of civil society organisations has formed the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition, aiming to tackle misinformation and disinformation.

The coalition brings together the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Dubawa, FactSpace West Africa, and other organisations focused on information integrity and resilience.

The coalition will coordinate efforts to address the risks posed by false information during the election period.

According to the 2024 Global Risk Report, misinformation and disinformation are expected to disrupt the legitimacy of elections in various countries over the next two years, threatening democratic processes and potentially leading to instability.

These risks are especially concerning in election seasons, where false narratives can influence public perception and the outcome of polls.

In Ghana, electoral narratives have already become a mix of facts and disinformation, adding to the tension around the upcoming elections.

By pooling resources, expertise, and credibility, the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition aims to produce well researched reports that counter false information and provide accurate data on election activities.

The coalition includes three of Ghana’s main fact-checking organisations: Fact-Check Ghana (under MFWA), Dubawa Ghana (operated by the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development), and Ghana Fact (under FactSpace West Africa).

Other civil society organisations such as Africa Check, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Penplusbyte, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), and Digital Africa Research Lab are also part of the effort.

During the election week, from December 4-11, 2024, the coalition will operate Media Situation Rooms in Accra and Tamale.

These centres will monitor online and offline platforms to identify and debunk misinformation and disinformation surrounding the elections.

Working alongside about 50 journalists and over 100 media outlets in Ghana, the coalition’s reports will reach communities across the country in nearly 45 local languages.

This collaboration is set to enhance the reach of fact-checked information, with participating journalists and media outlets republishing verified reports and assisting in verifying election-related information.

Lead Fact-checker and Senior Programme Officer at the MFWA, Kwaku Krobea Asante, said, “This is the best time for us to come together and collaborate to push back against misinformation and polarising narratives that pose a risk to Ghana’s democracy. We hope our work contributes to a peaceful and credible election.”

Director of FactSpace West Africa, Rabiu Alhassan, mentioned the coalition’s role in countering disinformation that could undermine the election’s credibility.

“Creating a united front among fact-checkers, media, and civil society groups is crucial to countering disinformation threats and protecting Ghana’s democracy.”

Programme Manager of Dubawa, Roselena Ahiable, added, “Having seen similar coalitions in action across West Africa, we are looking forward to making a positive impact on the elections.”

The coalition is supported by funding from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and the Google News Initiative.

Additionally, Full Fact, a UK based fact-checking organisation, has granted the coalition access to its AI platform to aid in monitoring and addressing disinformation.

With the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition in place, the coalition’s leaders hope to minimise the impact of harmful narratives, contributing to a transparent and credible election process in December.