The Director General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako, has reiterated the dangers and threat of information disorder (disinformation, fake news and misinformation) on democratic stability.
Consequently, he has called all stakeholders to come together to safeguard the integrity of the information ecosystems ahead of the 2024 elections.
“As Ghana approaches the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December, 2024, the theme for this year’s NCSAM could not be timelier. The spread of misinformation and disinformation poses a significant threat to democratic processes and societal stability, making it essential for all stakeholders to engage actively in safeguarding the integrity of our information ecosystems, “the DG emphasised.
Dr. Antwi Boasiako made the call at the media launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness month at the Ministers Press Briefing in Accra yesterday.
Misinformation
He added that misinformation has negative impacts on democratic processes and undermines human rights, citing an instance in the United Kingdom recently where misinformation about a stabbing attack led to a violet riot and protest.
The DG indicated that social media platforms including encrypted platforms such as Youtube, telegram and Instagram are being used widely in churning out misinformation and disinformation.
He added that automated bots are also used to spread and highlight fake news.
Dr Antwi Boasiako, therefore called on stakeholders to rally behind the Cyber Security Authority to combat the menace.
To mitigate the spread of information disorders, Dr. Antwi Boasiako noted that the CSA was engaging App developers and owners of digital platform like Meta to make available rapid response point of contacts for its reports, especially in the period before, during and after the 2024 elections.
He added that collaborations between the CSA and relevant tech companies would lead to the development of a strategy around misinformation/disinformation.
The DG advocated for Cooperation and Collaboration with stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to counter misinformation/disinformation.
Transformation
The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who launched the campaign emphasized that Ghana had witnessed a significant transformation in how citizens live, work, and interact due to the rapid advancement of digital technologies.
She mentioned that the developments had also introduced new risks, including cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“The point of digitalization is cybersecurity—you can’t have one without the other. While we celebrate the introduction of new technologies like artificial intelligence for their potential to positively transform our lives, we must also acknowledge the significant challenges they bring”, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful stated.
The Minister added that Ghana’s progress in mobile connectivity was a key pillar of the digital transformation journey. He highlighted that the rolling out high-speed data networks nationwide, including 4G and 5G, was to ensure that all citizens have access to the digital initiatives that are rapidly unfolding.
She encouraged all to work together to preserve the peace and stability of our country, ensuring that Ghana remains a digitally resilient democracy.
“As we prepare for upcoming elections, it is crucial that we use digital platforms to campaign peacefully and factually, rather than to spread fear and heighten tensions unnecessarily,” the Minister appealed.
This year’s cyber security awareness month is themed “Combating Misinformation and Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy: Our Collective Responsibility”. The media launch took place at the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday.
The campaign is scheduled to run throughout October and would bring together government officials, private sector players, cybersecurity professionals, and civil society organizations to promote cybersecurity awareness and encourage responsible use of digital tools.
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