ACCRA, Ghana, 7th November: President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the growing misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms to spread misinformation, create fake recordings and deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
He warned that the increasing sophistication of AI-generated images and recordings poses a serious challenge to public discourse, particularly when fabricated content is presented as genuine information involving prominent personalities.
Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama revealed that some fraudulent schemes have even used artificial intelligence to create fake videos portraying him as endorsing investment opportunities.
He said he had received calls from people seeking to establish whether such videos showing him promoting investment schemes were genuine.
“Seriously, I have people call me and say, Mr. President, is this real? And I said, why would the President be promoting investments in a scheme? You should know it’s a scam,” he stated.
The President also cited an incident involving a video of people in Liberia exposing shoddy road construction works, which was allegedly circulated in Ghana with an added voice-over to create the impression that the incident had occurred locally.
According to him, such developments demonstrate how easily digital platforms can be exploited to mislead the public and inflame tensions.
He observed that while social media has created opportunities for Ghanaians to participate in national discussions and draw attention to problems in their communities, it has also enabled false claims to spread rapidly before the facts are established.
In response to these emerging challenges, President Mahama disclosed that he had commissioned the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the GJA to conduct consultations and make recommendations on how Ghana should respond to the changing media environment.
He stressed, however, that efforts to combat misinformation and hate speech must not become an excuse to suppress legitimate criticism or independent journalism.
“Ghanaians must remain free to challenge their leaders, expose wrongdoing and express strong opinions,” he emphasised.
The President maintained that where credible threats or incitement to violence require intervention, any response must be lawful, proportionate and subject to due process.
He further urged journalists and media organisations to strengthen their verification processes by establishing the origins of videos and recordings, checking what may have been omitted and confirming information before publishing or broadcasting it.
He also encouraged presenters to challenge questionable claims during live discussions rather than allowing misinformation to be repeated as established fact.
President Mahama said Ghana must find an appropriate balance between protecting public order and safeguarding freedom of expression as the country navigates the challenges of the digital age.
The 30th GJA Media Awards was held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
LISTEN TO PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA IN THE AUDIO BELOW👇:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
