Image source: Christopher Nehring via LinkedIn
According to UNESCO, disinformation is "information that is false and deliberately created to harm a person, social group, organisation, or country. The intentionality of disinformation makes it dangerous and deceptive often used to influence public opinion, manipulate behaviour or disrupt social harmony. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, false information spread about herbal remedies that supposedly cured the virus, leading some people to ignore official health advice. Similarly, during elections, there have been cases where false results are shared on social media, claiming that a particular party has won even before the Electoral Commission has announced the official results. This can cause confusion, tension, and even unrest among the public.
Election seasons need to be about thoughtful decisions, well-informed debates, and manifestos. However, disinformation is now hindering that process both internationally and in Ghana. False information, content manipulation, and plain lies are becoming more prevalent as the 2024 elections in Ghana draw near, with the goal of influencing voters and distorting the truth. These strategies damage not just certain politicians but also our democracy in general.
The following are some of the most prevalent patterns of electoral disinformation in Ghana and how everyone of us can contribute to their verification and rebuttal.
1. Cloning
Cloning involves the act of deploying the brand name, logo, and colours of credible organisations or media outlets to disseminate false or misleading information. This strategy is being used in Ghana to replicate social media cards of reputable media outlets and reliable institutions, such as the Electoral Commission (EC), which has resulted in the dissemination of misleading information. For or instance, a social media card bearing the brand name, identity and colours of TV3, a subsidiary of the Media General conglomerate in Ghana falsely claimed that the Vice-President and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said that he will “introduce free visa to USA, Canada and all the European countries for individuals with Ghana card”.
How to spot clones
Check the handle closely. Cloned accounts often have slight changes in the spelling or additional characters.
Original card from TV3 with other subsidiaries of the Media General conglomerate | Source: TV3 via Facebook
Cloned social media card of TV3 | Source: TV3 via Instagram
Look for verification badges on social media platforms. Legitimate organisations usually have blue ticks.
Verify posts directly from official websites or known platforms before believing what you see.
2. False and Misleading Political Claims
Huge and unrealistic promises are common among politicians, but disinformation takes it a step further by intentionally spreading inaccurate or exaggerated statements. These claims are crafted to influence voters’ opinions, employing everything from fabricated achievements to outright falsehoods.
How to verify political claims
Always ask for evidence. If a politician claims to have built “10,000 new schools,” find out if there is proof.
Use fact-checking websites or platforms like Fact-check Ghana and Dubawa Ghana, that are specialised in verifying political statements.
Follow independent news outlets that are known for balanced reporting to cross-check claims. For example, JoyNews, TV3, Citi fm and Channel One TV.
3. Smear Campaigns
Smear campaigns aim at redirecting attention from genuine problems by attacking opponents with fabricated or unsubstantiated personal attacks. This strategy has become more prevalent in Ghana, as candidates are vilified for personal scandals rather than their policy.
How to verify smear messages
Look out for sources. Smear campaigns often originate from anonymous or questionable sources. Anonymous sources are those that lack identification, making it unclear where the information is coming from. For example, on social media, be cautious of information from accounts without a profile description, image, or posting history.
Be skeptical of sensational headlines or viral content about personal lives that do not come from reputable news agencies.
Focus on the candidate’s policies. Ask yourself: "Is this information relevant to their ability to lead?"
4. Gender Disinformation
Female candidates in Ghana face a specific challenge with gender-based disinformation. These false narratives or rumours target women because of their gender, often attempting to portray them as 'unfit' for positions of authority. For example, a woman running for office might be falsely accused of neglecting her family responsibilities to cast doubt on her suitability as a leader. This was seen in the case of the National democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Professor Jane Nana Opoku-Agyemang in the lead up to the 2020 and 2024 elections.
How to recognise gender disinformation
Gender disinformation often focuses on personal aspects like family life, appearance, or behaviors that are targeted at women and are irrelevant to political performance.
Be wary of sexist or derogatory language used against female candidates that do not appear in discussions about male counterparts.
5. AI Deep fakes
AI deepfakes are among the newest and most dangerous forms of disinformation. These are videos or images manipulated using artificial intelligence to show people saying or doing things they never did. As this technology becomes more advanced, it is becoming harder to tell what is real and what is not.
How to spot deep fakes
Look for inconsistencies in videos, like unnatural blinking, odd facial expressions, or mismatched audio.
Use tools like google reverse image search to check whether a video or image has been altered or not.
Pay attention to context. If a video seems out of character for a politician, investigate further.
6. Fake Polls and Surveys
To sway undecided voters, fake polls are sometimes used to create the impression that a particular candidate is leading by a wide margin. For example, AfricaFocus has been sharing polls on X (Twitter) without providing methodology or sample size, prompting Fact-Check Ghana to publicly call them out to share their full report or methodology. AfricaFocus has yet to respond, raising serious credibility issues, especially since there is no information about them available outside their X (Twitter) page.
How to verify fake polls
Check the source of the poll. Legitimate polls come from credible polling organisations with transparent methodologies. For example, you can rely on Global Info Analytics or your polling news.
Look for details like sample size, margin of error, and methodology. If this information is not available, then it is likely fake.
Compare results with other polls to see if there is a significant discrepancy.
Practical Tips for Combatting Election Disinformation
Election disinformation goes beyond creating and sharing false political information, it also poses a threat to our democracy, decision-making, and trust in the democratic process. However, when voters have access to accurate information, they can make informed decisions based on facts rather than false narratives. Combating disinformation also contributes to a level playing field, limiting the possibility of conflict sparked by false claims and ensuring that election results accurately reflect the will of the electorate.
Addressing election disinformation strengthens and informs society, allowing it to detect false narratives and demand truth from leaders and the media. When people understand how to identify credible information, they are less likely to be misled by false information or exaggerated claims. This is when several critical processes, such as fact-checking sources, cross-referencing facts, and examining digital content for evidence of manipulation, come into play. In short, combating disinformation safeguards our democracy and the credibility of those seeking to govern it.
Now that we have identified the election disinformation trends in Ghana and the benefits in combating them, what can we all do to combat them?
Be skeptical and curious: Do not accept everything at face value. In an age of rapid information, take a moment to pause and investigate. Ask questions like, "Where is this coming from?" and "Is this backed by credible evidence?"
Use fact-checking tools: Platforms like Fact-Check Ghana, Dubawa Chatbot, GhanaFact or even Google’s reverse image search are great tools for verifying claims. Get into the habit of consulting these platforms and tools before sharing information.
Promote media literacy: Talk to your friends and family about media literacy. Help them understand the importance of verifying information and not falling for sensational or misleading headlines.
Report and block: On social media, report accounts or content that are spreading false information. This helps platforms flag and block disinformation agents reducing their influence.
Verify first, share later: Before clicking "share" on that WhatsApp message or Facebook post, ask yourself: "Is this true?" A simple search can save you from unknowingly spreading disinformation.
Ghana’s 2024 election season is currently grappling with how disinformation is being used as a weapon to filter genuine information, from the cloning of social media cards of prominent media outlets and organisations like the Electoral Commission (EC) to the making of false or misleading political statements by politicians. Political opponents are frequently the focus of smear campaigns, and female candidates are attacked by gender disinformation, which discourages them from entering the political sphere. Artificial intelligence deepfakes are becoming more and more prevalent, producing incredibly lifelike but misleading content. Fake surveys and polls are also used to distort public opinion and give some candidates a false sense of momentum.
To effectively counter these disinformation trends, Ghana must invest in a comprehensive strategy that combines public education, strong media literacy programs, and robust fact-checking initiatives. Collaboration between the Electoral Commission, media organisations, and tech platforms is essential to monitor and flag fake content promptly, while legal frameworks should be strengthened to hold accountable those who intentionally spread false information. Additionally, promoting the role of women in politics, safeguarding digital spaces, and training journalists in digital verification techniques can collectively support a transparent electoral process and protect the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
References
AfricaFocus. (2024). X (Formerly Twitter). https://x.com/africafocus_/status/1841869114530202061?s=46
Citi TV. (2023). Facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/Channel1tvgh?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Dubawa Ghana. (2024). Dubawa Ghana. https://ghana.dubawa.org/
Fact Check Ghana. (2024). Fact Check Ghana. https://www.fact-checkghana.com/
Ghana Fact. (2019). Ghana Fact. https://ghanafact.com/
Global InfoAnalytics. (2023). Global InfoAnalytics | Analytics. Polls. Modelling. Globalinfoanalytics.com. https://globalinfoanalytics.com/
Ireton, C., & Posetti, J. (2018). Journalism, “fake news” & disinformation: handbook for journalism education and training. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265552
JoyNews. (2022). Facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/JoyNewsOnTV?mibextid=LQQJ4d
TV3 Ghana | Accra. (2022). Facebook.com. https://www.facebook.com/TV3GH?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Background illustration: Generated by the author using the Microsoft's Co-Pilot AI tool.