Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has warned sternly about the growing influence of misinformation and disinformation on national development, particularly as Ghana approaches its December elections.
Speaking at the Joint Graduation Ceremony of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Course 45 and the Master of Science in Defence and International Politics in Accra on August 23, 2024, Bawumia stressed the need for heightened vigilance among all stakeholders, including the military and security agencies.
Bawumia praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to maintain professionalism amid increasing misinformation.
“This year marks another year where Ghanaians will go to the polls to choose a leader and representatives to parliament.
Over the years, regardless of their free and fair nature, our elections have been fraught with security challenges and have, in some instances, resulted in fatalities,” he noted.
He highlighted the potential dangers of misinformation, emphasizing that such activities could destabilize the country and affect the wider West African region.
Bawumia urged the Armed Forces to draw from their training and the principles of democratic control to ensure stability and uphold democratic values.
Acknowledging the evolving nature of global security threats, Bawumia commended the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College for updating its curriculum to address contemporary challenges.
He pointed out that warfare and security threats have shifted from traditional methods to more complex and nuanced tactics, including the use of advanced technology like drones and the proliferation of disinformation.
The Vice President emphasized the importance of multi-domain operations and collaboration among security agencies and international partners.
He encouraged the graduates from 17 countries to leverage the knowledge and relationships gained during their training to enhance security cooperation and effectively address threats.
“I firmly believe that the modules and seminars you have been taken through have provided you with the platform to engage and build relationships that traverse beyond our borders,” Bawumia said.
“You must understand the importance of collaborative efforts in realizing national security objectives and operational goals.”
He concluded by urging the graduates to use their newfound knowledge to make significant contributions to the progress of their respective armed forces and institutions.
