The Media Foundation for West Africa(MFWA) in partnership with US-based Access Now And Africa Open Data And Internet Research Foundation in Ghana, have in a press conference with just 9 days to the December 7 general elections urged the outgoing President of the republic of Ghana, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and all necessary election stakeholders including the Telecommunication Companies (TELCOS) and the Internet Service Providers (ISPs), to ensure that there is constant access to internet and all digital platforms during the electioneering period. Apexnewsgh reports
Speaking in the stead of the MFWA, Senior Programme Officer, Kweku Krobea Asante, threw light on the 2024 Global risk report which identified mis/disinformation as the key critical risk anticipated to unfold in numerous Countries across the world in the next two years.
According to him, the report emphasized that, the spread of mis/disinformation especially during elections could significantly disrupt the perceived legitimacy of the newly elected government, potentially leading to political turmoil, violence and gradual deterioration of democratic procedures in the long run.
Krobea Asante further outlined the fact that, activities and processes around the 2024 elections have so far generated enormous force thereby polarizing the narratives that can influence the peaceful outcomes of the polls.
In rounding up, Mr. Kweku Krobea Asante, mentioned that, the MFWA’s fact checking project (FACT CHECK GH) is witnessing the weaponing of questionable polls by political elements to influence electorates whip up their bases and achieve bang-wagon efforts ahead of the 2024 polls.
Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn Campaign Manager at Access Now, appealed to the Ghana Government and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Ghana to adopt human rights respecting measures to address issues of mis/disinformation and to publicly assure the people of Ghana that they would uphold our fundamental human rights, both online and offline throughout the polls.
According to Ms. Anthonio, governments in Africa are increasingly resorting to stringent measures including the use of interest shutdowns to muscle decent and exert control over the flow of information during elections.
She further added that, in 2023 alone, ACCESS NOW and KEEP IT ON coalition documented at least 17 shutdowns in 9 Countries across Africa, highlighting the deterioration of human rights in the region and across the globe.
With barely a month to end the year 2024, Felicia Anthonio said her outfit has already seen Countries like Comoros, Mauritania, Mauritius and Mozambique, imposing internet election related shutdowns citing vague and unjustifiable reasons, thereby urging the Government of Ghana to desist from the worrying trends spreading across the region.
Wisdom Donkor, Executive director of Africa Open Data And Research Foundation Ghana, however echoed the need for Ghana to uphold its exemplary track record in its 8th consecutive electoral processes.
He underscored the fact that, despite the alarming practice in neighboring Countries, Ghana still remains an enviable example in the region that has not deliberately shutdown access to digital services during important national events.
He finally indicated that, Ghana being a member of the FREEDOM OF RIGHT coalition, a network of 41 countries working to advance internet freedom globally, it has a duty to ensure that its people have open and secure access to the internet and digital platforms throughout the pending 2024 December 7 general elections and beyond.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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