The recent 2024 general elections in Ghana saw a significant victory for former president John Drahami Mahama, marking a historic comeback. The ruling party gracefully accepted defeat following widespread dissatisfaction over the government’s handling of economic challenges, leading to a change in leadership.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and its fact-checking arm, DUBAWA, played a crucial role in ensuring transparent and credible elections in Ghana. With a team of observers, fact-checkers, and analysts, CJID monitored and verified information before and during the polls to counter misinformation that could impact public trust in the electoral process.
Through collaborative efforts with various organizations and tech partners, CJID focused on addressing online trends that posed threats to electoral integrity. DUBAWA Ghana’s investigations revealed instances of political propaganda and AI-generated deepfake content circulating on social media platforms, highlighting the need for vigilant fact-checking.
Establishing situation rooms in key locations allowed for real-time monitoring and rapid responses to misleading claims that could influence voters. The Director of Programs at CJID emphasized the importance of promoting trust, informed participation, and a peaceful electoral atmosphere to uphold democratic values in Ghana.