The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has officially opened the Election Media Situation Room ahead of the December 7 general elections.
MFWA along with stakeholders – National Media Commission, National Peace Council, Electoral Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) in this initiative are expected to monitor and ensure that information and news aired and published across all forms of media in Ghana are accurate and void of any discrepancies.
Press Attache to the US Embassy in Ghana, Matthew Asada in a brief remark described 2024 as a ‘historic year’ on account of election periods being observed in many countries across the globe. Ghana as one of the last countries to hold its elections was urged by Asada to work towards a free, fair and credible election. He made references from the peace and order that was observed during United States elections held in November void of any violence or malicious incidents.
“One of the things that when people go to the polls to vote they need to ensure, understand and believe that their vote will count. The United States is funding the provision of about 1,500 of the election day observers that will ensure the integrity and credibility of the election day in Ghana.”
Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, who officially opened the Media Situation room revealed that the NMC, the Electoral Commission (EC) the Ghana Police Service and many other regulatory state bodies set MFWA along with stakeholders on track to ensure that all Ghanaians abide by the laws and observe all ethics that need to be upheld in this election.
The opening followed with a presentation of operations of the Media Situation Room to patrons, stakeholders and media professionals at the meeting by Coordinator of the Situation Room, Kwaku Krobea Asante, who explained that the media is a channel which is majorly used to peddle false information which can ignite chaos especially during the election period.
“If we do not regulate the kind of information that is churned out by media houses and other outlets especially within this period it may have a daunting effect on all Ghanaians throughout the elections.”
The Media Situation Room is part of activities by the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition a collective of fact-checking organizations made up of Fact-Check Ghana (MFWA), Dubawa Ghana and Ghana Fact (FactSpace West Africa) and other civil society organizations working on information hygiene and integrity.
By: Kobina Baidoo