President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has expressed concerns about the growing misuse of artificial intelligence and digital platforms to spread misinformation and create fake recordings. He warned that AI-generated images and recordings pose a serious challenge to public discourse, particularly when fabricated content is presented as genuine information involving prominent personalities.
President Mahama revealed that some fraudulent schemes have used artificial intelligence to create fake videos portraying him as endorsing investment opportunities. He received calls from people seeking to establish whether such videos showing him promoting investment schemes were genuine. The President stated that he had to assure them that such videos were scams.
The President cited an incident involving a video of people in Liberia exposing shoddy road construction works, which was circulated in Ghana with an added voice-over to create the impression that the incident had occurred locally. He noted that such developments demonstrate how easily digital platforms can be exploited to mislead the public and inflame tensions.
President Mahama disclosed that he had commissioned the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Ghana Journalists Association to conduct consultations and make recommendations on how Ghana should respond to the changing media environment. He stressed that efforts to combat misinformation and hate speech must not become an excuse to suppress legitimate criticism or independent journalism.
The President maintained that Ghanaians must remain free to challenge their leaders, expose wrongdoing, and express strong opinions. He emphasized that where credible threats or incitement to violence require intervention, any response must be lawful, proportionate, and subject to due process.
President Mahama 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 encouraged presenters to challenge questionable claims during live discussions rather than allowing misinformation to be repeated as established fact.
The President 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 Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards was held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
Key points
- President Mahama warns of the threat posed by AI-generated fake videos and digital misinformation in Ghana.
- The President commissions the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Ghana Journalists Association to make recommendations on responding to the changing media environment.
- President Mahama emphasizes the need to balance public order and freedom of expression in the digital age.
