The European Union (EU), together with the Embassies of the Netherlands and France, have activated a campaign to combat disinformation ahead of Ghana’s 2024 elections.

The “Check the Facts; Don’t get it twisted” campaign aims to promote and amplify credible information in the election discourse. 

In true Team Europe spirit, the partners aim to promote media literacy, critical thinking, and fact-based information sharing among young voters in particular.

The initiative is part of broader EU and Member State efforts to promote credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections in Ghana.

Ghanaian celebrities like Dr Likee, Kwame Eugene, Akrobeto, Fancy Gadam, Camidoh, Ama Burland, Gisela, Kojo Jnr and Wiyaala, will all leverage their platforms to create awareness, promote critical thinking and foster fact-based discussion.

The campaign features informative skits, jingles, and podcasts all of which will be laced with a touch of humour, to ramp up media literacy skills.

The campaign will be in English, Ga, Twi, Ewe, Sissala, Hausa/Dagbani and will run throughout the period and immediate aftermath of the election

EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, is convinced that “this initiative helps to promote responsible reporting and fact-based information sharing in Ghana; we are committed to supporting Ghana's democratic development and look forward to a successful collaboration with Ghanaian celebrities and civil society organisations."

The French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules Armand Aniambossou stated, “France is committed with its European partners, local players and celebrities to support transparent and inclusive elections that respect democracy.

"It is crucial to strengthen access to reliable information in all of Ghana's most popular languages for all citizens to counter the pernicious effects of misinformation”

The Netherlands is pleased to support this campaign as part of Team Europe and subscribes to its importance in motivating young voters to be part of the democratic process and to let their vote count.

"To be able to trust the process, it is important to be well-informed and know how to fact-check the information that is out there.

When young citizens are empowered to seek factual information, unfiltered, they are also ambassadors against misinformation and they can play an active part in the Ghanaian democracy.”

In the end, the “Check the Facts; Don’t get it twisted” campaign will not only conscientise Ghanaians to beware of deceitful actors, and their intentions to mislead and manipulate but also build resilience in fighting mis/disinformation menace which has been described as the greatest global risk in the next two years.