By: Kobina Baidoo
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, has urged the Ghanaian media to refrain from disseminating false information, particularly during this election period.
Mr. Agyeman made these remarks while addressing the press at the official launch of a campaign against hate speech, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Accra Tourist Information Center.
Mr. Agyeman emphasized the dangers posed by fake news. Drawing on his extensive experience in the media industry, he explained that fake news can cause unforeseen harm and damage to individuals and societies.
He cited an example of false reports regarding Kintampo Falls, which illustrated how fake news can resurface and circulate long after its initial publication. “If, for whatever reason, you want to criticize the government for not taking action on galamsey, you don’t need to fabricate a story about Kintampo Falls to do so. You can voice your concerns; there’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t falsify information,” he said.
Mr. Agyeman called on all media organizations in Ghana to verify their facts before publishing and stressed the importance of accuracy in journalism. “Whenever we are taking certain actions, we need to be mindful; I always tell the media to check the facts before sharing,” he advised.