Paris Peace Forum: Mahama’s global call and step on misinformation must reflect local realities

President John Dramani Mahama, at the 8th Paris Peace Forum, announced that Ghana has become the first African nation to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). 

He described the gesture as a demonstration of Ghana’s strong belief in the vital role of independent journalism and credible information. “Independent media are the lifeblood of democracy,” he said, stressing that empowering credible journalism is essential to fighting misinformation and strengthening global information integrity.

The IFPIM is a global initiative designed to support independent, public interest media worldwide, particularly in countries where media freedom and sustainability are under threat. By contributing to this fund, although it is like a drop in the ocean, Ghana has joined a global effort to ensure that trustworthy information continues to thrive in the face of shrinking media revenues and growing disinformation. 

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President Mahama’s announcement was therefore not just symbolic but also a statement of Ghana’s intent to stand for truth and transparency on the international stage.

In his remarks, President Mahama called on world leaders to work together to address the global threat of falsehoods. “Together, we must work to win the global war against misinformation and disinformation,” he said.

He warned that misinformation “shapes elections, distorts public health responses, fuels conflicts, and undermines the fight against climate change.” His words captured the urgent need for collaborative global action to safeguard truth and uphold democratic values.

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However, while this move may earn Ghana international recognition and rightly so, it draws attention to a critical gap at back home. Many independent journalism projects, fact-checking initiatives, and accountability-focused organizations in Ghana are operating with limited resources and little support. These are the very institutions working daily to counter misinformation and build public trust in information. Yet, their efforts are often overlooked, even though they are vital to sustaining the kind of credible media landscape the president spoke so passionately about.

President Mahama

As one who was a member of the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition (a taskforce that monitored the 2024 elections), I witnessed how these organizations, driven by highly-skilled and committed professionals, who continue to produce credible, data-driven work that challenges falsehoods and fosters transparency. 

Their impact is evident across the media and research landscape, yet they remain underfunded. There should not even be the need to call for support, because their competence and consistency already prove their value. It would be commendable if Ghana established a similar national fund to support independent media, fact-checking initiatives, and public interest journalism that uphold truth and accountability.

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President Mahama’s call and leadership on the global front is worthy of praise, but to make this vision meaningful, his government must also act locally. If he is truly committed to fighting misinformation, there must be deliberate collaboration with accountability, public interest, and fact-checking organizations within Ghana. The fight against misinformation will not be won abroad but right here at home; in the newsrooms, classrooms, and communities where truth is defended daily.

Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey

sam.nadjetey@gmail.com 

(Journalist and fact-checker)