Introduction

In recent years, the rise of digital platforms has transformed the information landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for democratic processes worldwide. The 2024 Ghana elections exemplify these dynamics, where digital tools and platforms significantly shaped public opinion. As the largest demographic in Ghana and the most active users of digital platforms, young people were both key players and targets in the fight against disinformation.

This article explores the role of youth in combating disinformation during the pre-election, election, and immediate post-election periods, focusing on the forms of disinformation encountered, the ways young people are used as purveyors, and strategies for shielding themselves through media and information literacy. It also highlights the impactful efforts of Penplusbytes in addressing these challenges since 2019 using media and information literacy as a tool.

Digital Platforms and the Influx of Disinformation

The proliferation of digital platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp has fundamentally altered the way information is disseminated and consumed in Ghana. These platforms, while serving as tools for civic engagement, have also become avenues for spreading disinformation. False information, ranging from manipulated images and videos to misleading narratives and outright fabrications, inundated these platforms during the 2024 Ghana elections. Disinformation was used to sow confusion among voters, erode trust in the electoral process, and amplify partisan divides.

Forms of Disinformation and Their Impact

Disinformation during the 2024 elections took many forms. These included fabricated news articles falsely attributing statements to political figures, deep and cheapfake videos portraying candidates in compromising situations, and viral rumors and hate speech designed to inflame ethnic and regional tensions. Additionally, there were coordinated campaigns to spread misinformation about voting procedures, such as fake announcements of polling station changes and altered voting periods.

Such activities not only threatened the credibility of the elections but also risked disenfranchising voters, particularly in rural areas where digital literacy levels are lower.

Youth as Purveyors of Disinformation

Young people, given their extensive engagement with social media, were often unknowingly complicit in the spread of disinformation. Many young users, unaware of the manipulative tactics employed by disinformation actors, shared content without verifying its authenticity. Political actors and interest groups also targeted young people as vehicles for disinformation campaigns, offering incentives to spread misleading content or engaging them as “troll farms”. This exploitation underscores the need to empower youth to critically evaluate information and resist being manipulated.

Shielding Against Disinformation: Media and Information Literacy

To counter the disinformation epidemic, media and information literacy (MIL) emerged as a crucial tool for equipping young people with the skills to navigate the digital information ecosystem. MIL initiatives focus on teaching individuals to critically assess the credibility of sources, verify the accuracy of information, and identify manipulative tactics. Through MIL, young people can become not only informed consumers of information but also advocates for truth in digital spaces.

Penplusbytes, a leader in this field since 2019, has been at the forefront of promoting MIL in Ghana. Its programmes have empowered thousands of young Ghanaians with practical skills for identifying and countering disinformation. Notable initiatives include training workshops on fact-checking, verification tools, and community and online campaigns that raise awareness about the dangers of disinformation.

Ahead of the 2024 elections, Penplusbytes intensified its efforts by organising the inaugural Youth Against Disinformation Conference in Accra and Tamale, which brought together over 400 young people from across the country to build their capacities in combating false information.

Pre-Election, Election, and Post-Election Periods

During the pre-election period, Penplusbytes’ initiatives focused on raising awareness about the forms and dangers of disinformation. Social media campaigns, interactive workshops, and community engagements equipped young participants and the general public with the skills and knowledge to critically evaluate online  content. The “#FakeNoMore” campaign, launched in collaboration with youth-focused CSO partners, was particularly effective in encouraging young voters to verify information before sharing it.

On election day, young people trained by Penplusbytes played an active role in monitoring and debunking false claims circulating on social media. They leveraged fact-checking tools introduced during past training sessions and also worked collaboratively to amplify verified information from factchecking organisations. This effort was critical in maintaining calm and ensuring that voters were not misled by false narratives about the electoral process.

In the post-election period, efforts shifted toward addressing disinformation related to the election results. False claims about results tampering and fraudulent activities were rampant. Trained youth volunteers helped to counter these narratives by sharing verified updates and engaging with their peers to dispel rumors. Their role in fostering trust and promoting accurate information during this sensitive period was invaluable.

Penplusbytes’ Impact and Future Directions

Since 2019, Penplusbytes has made significant strides in the fight against disinformation in Ghana. Its focus on empowering young people through MIL in the earlier years has created a network of informed and proactive youth advocates equipped to challenge falsehoods and promote democratic values.

The Youth Against Disinformation Conference in 2024 marked a milestone in these efforts, providing a platform for dialogue, skill-building, and collective action. Participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to identify and counter disinformation, underscoring the programme’s success.

Moving forward, Penplusbytes plans to expand its reach by incorporating more regions and developing offline resources to address challenges such as connectivity issues. Continuous online training and the development of a MIL e-learning platform will ensure sustained engagement. By building on these initiatives, Penplusbytes aims to create a resilient and informed youth population capable of safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.

Conclusion

The 2024 Ghana elections highlighted the critical role of young people in combating disinformation. Through targeted interventions like those of Penplusbytes, young Ghanaians have proven to be not just passive consumers of information but active defenders of truth and democracy.

As digital platforms continue to evolve, investing in media and information literacy will remain essential for empowering youth to navigate the complexities of the information age.