Protect Ghana’s democracy, stop hate speech on your networks – MFWA to journalists

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has urged journalists to protect Ghana’s democracy by ensuring their platforms are not used to promote hate speech.

The MFWA believes Ghanaian journalists are key stakeholders in sustaining the country’s democracy and must, therefore, use their platforms to promote the use of clean language, uphold the tenets of peace, and practice conflict-sensitive journalism.

The media advocacy organization made the call in Tamale, where it has been training selected journalists from the Northern and Savannah Regions in conflict-sensitive journalism and fact-checking. The training aims to adequately prepare journalists ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Speaking at the opening of the training program, Dr. Kojo Impraim, Programme Director of Media for Peace and Sustainable Development, said Ghana had made significant gains in sustaining its democracy; hence, there is a need for all stakeholders, including the media, to continue supporting the maintenance of democracy.

He said the use of unsavory language in the media could derail the democratic gains made by the country.

"For the media to play their peace-building role effectively, they must understand the drivers and undercurrents of toxic narratives, misinformation, and extremism," Dr. Impraim noted.

Ali Anankpieng Anankpieng, Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, said there was a need for journalists, especially in Northern Ghana, to engage in responsible and conflict-sensitive journalism, mindful of violent extremists due to their proximity to the Sahel region, where dozens of terrorist organizations operate.

He encouraged journalists to also use their platforms to educate the public on the dangers of violent extremism and terrorism as part of efforts to help the government prevent the entry and growth of violent extremist groups in the country.

The training workshop, which ended on Tuesday, formed part of the MFWA's "Countering Hate Speech and Polarizing Narratives to Foster Democratic Consolidation and Peace in Ghana" project.

It seeks to build the capacity of 100 journalists across the country to counter hate speech and polarizing narratives and promote fact-based discourse in the media ahead of the general elections.