A new platform, LetsDebunk, has been launched in Ghana to help the country's youth fight disinformation. The platform was developed from findings of a baseline survey of young people and is designed to equip them with media and information literacy skills. The survey found significant gaps in the youth's ability to verify and respond to misleading content. The platform aims to strengthen the country's information resilience and was unveiled at the launch of the Empowering Ghanaian Youth against Disinformation Project.
The study that informed the development of LetsDebunk examined how young people accessed, consumed and shared information. It found that WhatsApp was the leading source of information for Ghanaian youth, cited by 74.6 per cent of respondents. Facebook, television, TikTok, and friends and family were also significant sources of information. The study was conducted across four regions and included interviews with community-based organisations, community media practitioners, assembly members and civil society organisations.
The study found that politics, finance and entertainment were areas where respondents commonly encountered disinformation. It also revealed a gap between awareness and action, with 50.8 per cent of respondents saying they avoided sharing information they considered doubtful. However, only 48.4 per cent reported taking action through verification, correction or reporting. This gap highlights the need for initiatives like LetsDebunk to support young people in identifying and challenging disinformation.
Despite the challenges, 81 per cent of respondents expressed willingness to use LetsDebunk. Verified sources, reliable information and transparent methodology were identified as important factors in building trust in the platform. The findings will inform the next phase of the Empowering Ghanaian Youth against Disinformation Project, including youth training programmes and partnerships with youth-focused organisations and community media.
The initiative is being supported by the German Government, which recognises the need for collective action to strengthen Ghana's resilience against disinformation. The German Government's interim representative emphasised the importance of protecting democratic values, social cohesion and peace. The project aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex information landscape.
The Empowering Ghanaian Youth against Disinformation Project will include youth training programmes beginning in October 2026, as well as responsible content-creation micro-grants. These initiatives aim to support young people in developing the skills and knowledge needed to identify and challenge disinformation. The project also seeks to strengthen community-level responses to information manipulation.
The launch of LetsDebunk and the Empowering Ghanaian Youth against Disinformation Project marks an important step towards addressing the challenges of disinformation in Ghana. By equipping young people with media and information literacy skills, the initiative aims to promote a more informed and resilient citizenry. The project's success will depend on the collaboration of various stakeholders, including community-based organisations, media practitioners and civil society organisations.
Key points
- The LetsDebunk platform aims to help Ghanaian youth identify, verify and challenge disinformation.
- The platform was developed from findings of a baseline survey of young people.
- The initiative is being supported by the German Government.
