The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Ghana, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has underscored the grave implications of disinformation and misinformation, labelling them as significant threats to national security.
Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit in Accra on Thursday, August 1, Dr Dampare emphasized the critical need to address these challenges seriously.
He urged stakeholders to recognize disinformation and misinformation not just as societal issues but as threats that could destabilize the nation’s security landscape.
“Disinformation and misinformation are national security threats, and we should see them in that perspective. We should walk out of these places changed as people seeking to make a difference from these challenges that threaten the security of our nation,” he stated.
The IGP also expressed concern over the resistance law enforcement officers face when they take action against purveyors of false information.
“When people disseminate disinformation or misinformation and law enforcement takes action against them, those who are combating these threats are often attacked,” Dr. Dampare noted.
He stressed the urgency of a collective effort to combat these issues, urging citizens to change their mindsets and prioritize truth and accountability.
“The time has come for us to change our mindset. We have become so inhumane to each other that our happiness is derived from the pain of others. We must yearn to change from that,” the IGP added.
The summit, attended by various stakeholders, addressed the growing challenges of false information and its impact on Ghana’s public discourse and national security.
