Accra, Ghana – April 1, 2026
Penplusbytes has launched the “Empowering Ghanaian Youth Against Disinformation” project, supported with German Federal Foreign Office by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) zivik Funding Programme. The initiative aims to empower young Ghanaians aged 15 to 35 to become agents of change in combating disinformation, strengthening democratic processes, and fostering social cohesion.
Ghana’s youth constitute the largest demographic in the country and are key participants in online spaces where mis- and disinformation are spreading rapidly. These false narratives often target electoral processes, government policies, ethnic and religious identities, and public health information, undermining public trust in institutions and fueling social tensions.
Through youth training, community dialogues, media awareness campaigns, and a digital national civic intelligence and pre-bunking platform, the project will empower young people, community based organisations, and local media to foster credible information, trust, and civic participation.
According to the Project Manager, Precious Ankomah, “Ghana’s democracy is often touted as one of the strongest in West Africa, but it is under pressure from a disinformation crisis that is being fought largely without the people who are most affected by it – the youth. This project changes that by equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to detect, counter, and prevent the spread of false information”.
“What makes this initiative truly distinct is the way it brings together technology, youth leadership, and community engagement into one integrated response. By putting a national civic intelligence platform in their hands, we are not just fighting disinformation, we are building a generation of informed, active citizens who will defend Ghana’s democratic information integrity long after this project ends,” she added
The project will run till close of year 2027, reaching over 600 youth participants directly, supporting CBOs and media partners, and implementing youth-led initiatives to reduce disinformation nationwide.
For updates, stories from the field, and project highlights, follow Penplusbytes on its social media platforms.
For any press enquiries, please contact
Mercy Aba Blankson
Email: aba.blankson@penplusbytes.org
Tel: +233 (0) 302 922620/1, +233 (0) 302 798995
Location: 20 Oshie Road, Osu Ako-Adjei, Accra, Ghana
About Penplusbytes www.penplusbytes.org
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organisation driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and enhancing media oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.
