LocationsBuilding Media Capacity to Counter Disinformation and Promote Peace in Northern Ghana
August 1, 2025
Some participants from the Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop engaged in an interactive session.
Across the Gulf of Guinea, peace and stability are increasingly under threat. The region faces a surge in violent extremism, transnational crime, political unrest, and online misinformation all of which have direct consequences for communities in Ghana and beyond.
Though often hailed as a beacon of democracy, Ghana is not immune. The growing spread of hate speech, disinformation, and misinformation especially on social media poses a significant risk to national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
In conflict-prone areas, even a single false narrative can ignite fear, deepen mistrust, or incite violence. Journalists and bloggers, as key influencers in the public space, need the tools and training to report truthfully, ethically, and responsibly.
To address this need, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Prevention Facility for the Gulf of Guinea project and with funding from the Governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, and Denmark, organized a two-day training workshop in Tamale. The session brought together 25 journalists and bloggers from the Northern, Upper East, and Savannah Regions to build their capacity in fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting.
Ms KUME Izumi, Coordinator for Economic Cooperation Embassy of Japan in Ghana highlighted the global urgency of addressing disinformation and AI-driven content manipulation:[EA1] e
“With AI-generated disinformation spreading at unprecedented speed, the role of journalists as frontline defenders of truth has never been more vital. Through our partnership with UNDP, we are proud to support initiatives that empower journalists to counter hate speech and misinformation with facts and integrity.”
Opening the workshop, Melody Azinim, Peace and Governance Programme Analyst at UNDP Ghana, stressed the importance of equipping the media to tackle false narratives.
“Across West Africa, misinformation and hate speech are fueling tensions and undermining peace. Journalists and bloggers have the power to counter this—not just with facts, but with sensitivity and responsibility. At UNDP, we believe supporting them with the right skills and platforms is key to safeguarding Ghana’s democratic values.”
She added,“through fact-checking and conflict-sensitive reporting, the media can help combat disinformation and hate speech by promoting inclusion, equality, and stability and shape peaceful communities through storytelling.”
Melody Azinim, Peace and Governance Programme Analyst at UNDP Ghana, delivering her speech
Echoing this sentiment, Albert Futukpor, Northern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), underscored the value of continued professional development:
“We cannot downplay the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public opinion. This training comes at a crucial time for media professionals to understand their role in promoting cohesion, especially in communities prone to conflict. I want to sincerely thank UNDP and its partners for this timely intervention it’s a critical step toward strengthening responsible journalism in our region.”
Albert Futukpor, Northern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), delivering his keynote address during the Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop.
Participants reflected on how the workshop impacted their approach to journalism and strengthened their commitment to ethical reporting.
Dr. Samuel Adadi Akapule, Upper East Regional Correspondent for Business and Financial Times, shared:
“This two-day training has significantly deepened my understanding of conflict-sensitive reporting. It reminded us to be mindful of reporting practices that could unintentionally escalate tensions. I also gained practical knowledge of advanced fact-checking tools that enhance traditional verification methods. I’ve attended several workshops in the past, but the facilitators at this one stood out they were practical, contextual, and truly engaging. This has instilled in us a greater sense of responsibility in how we report and share information.”
Dr. Samuel Adadi Akapule, Upper East Regional Correspondent for Business and Financial Times engaged in a group discussion
Rahanatu Babia Amadu, Reporter and Presenter at Gwollu FM, emphasized the need for thoughtful journalism:
“This training opened my eyes to the responsibility we carry, especially those of us reporting from conflict-prone areas. Headlines often spread faster than the full story and in many cases, people only read the headline. Our word choices can have serious implications. I’ve learned to carefully consider the impact of my headlines and reporting. Truth in journalism is essential, but it must be paired with sensitivity to context to avoid inflaming tensions.”
Alando Mandela Atinka, Upper East Regional Coordinator for the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), highlighted the power of inclusive storytelling:
“This training taught me to respect people for who they are and what they represent. Instead of focusing on negative stereotypes often associated with certain groups like the Fulani we can use storytelling to highlight their positive contributions. Doing so fosters inclusion, challenges harmful perceptions, and promotes peace and belonging in our communities.”
Rahanatu Babia Amadu (first on the left), Reporter and Presenter at Gwollu FM, and Alando Mandela Atinka (first on the right), Upper East Regional Coordinator for the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), lead their group during a presentation at the Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop.
The two-day workshop was led by experts in peacebuilding and media ethics. Mr. Eugene Yirbuor guided participants through sessions on conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, and the media’s role in promoting peaceful elections. His sessions emphasized ethical reporting as a tool to prevent tension, especially during election periods.
Mr. Eugene Yirbuor, one of the facilitators, engages participants during his session at the Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop.
Ms. Roselena Ahiable of DUBAWA West Africa focused on misinformation, disinformation, and the fault lines ethnic, political, and religious that drive them. She provided hands-on training in fact-checking tools, source verification, and strategies to promote media integrity. Participants also explored topics such as violent extremism, early warning signs, and the impact of negative narratives on communities like the Fulani.
Ms. Roselena Ahiable of DUBAWA West Africa, one of the facilitators, engages participants during her session at the Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop. Ask ChatGPT
The workshop concluded with a commitment from participants to apply conflict-sensitive practices, promote inclusive storytelling, and support peaceful, informed communities through responsible journalism.
Group photo of participants at Fact-Checking and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting workshop.