Introduction
In moments when Ghana faces a national tragedy, whether a health crisis, a security incident or a natural disaster, the nation’s need for reliable information is more acute than ever. Yet, it is precisely during these times that the country faces another epidemic that embodies the rapid and far-reaching spread of false, unverifiable reports and misinformation.. With the advancements of social media and digital platforms, misinformation, half-truths, and outright lies spread significantly faster than verified facts and often to a wider audience. The “infodemic” is not only detrimental in responding to the crisis, but it also has real security, health, as well as social implications for the citizens and institutions involved.
The Speed and Extent of Misinformation
Misinformation moves faster than verified information and is believed more often in times of high emotions and uncertainty. This phenomenon is seen to be more evident in Ghana because of the habits of myth-making and rumor in both traditional and digital platforms and informal settings. Due to the multi-dimensional aspect of misinformation, researchers have coined the term “complex stratified media ecosystem,” which posits that, digital information is transformed and moved to informal settings in spaces of social interaction such as marketplaces, places of worship and even social gatherings. In essence, information is repackaged further as it is broadcast in a multitude of forms that makes it very difficult for any good-willed authority to correct after it has moved beyond the 1st iteration of re-repackaging.
There were rampant myths surrounding the origins, transmission, and treatment of COVID-19 during the pandemic. One of the most durable myths was that black Africans were immune to the disease, or that there were specifically protective mechanisms from a warmer climate in the region, claims that were circulated and accepted in the initial days of the pandemic, having no scientific basis for their credibility. Not only does this problem arise due to the emergence of falsehoods, but also, in other instances, such ideas circulate when incidents occur, as illustrated by a recent helicopter crash of high-ranking government officials and military men, which surrounds the public thinking about unclear causes, victims, and other sensitive information, supported more by speculation than official updates.
Why False Report Moves Faster than Facts
It is the result of several interwoven factors that describe why rumors receive so little, and are able to move relatively fast in Ghana during times of national emergencies:
- Emotional Intensity and Uncertainty
When tragedies happen, there is an internal state of anxiety and fear and a compelling desire for answers. In this context, emotional claims that add elements of sensational facts attract attention, and are likely to be talked about, even if uncertain.
- Low Media and Digital Literacies
Although mobile penetration and internet usage is high, there are uneven forms of digital literacies and critical use of media, making it easier for many Ghanaians to believe and engage with rumors, particularly in rural areas, where traditional media dominates in the information flows.
- Social and Cultural Trust Networks
People trust more information shared by their peers, relatives, or an influential member of their community than official announcements. Traditional beliefs, political allegiances and religious leaders sometimes contribute to increasing receptiveness to misinformation, especially, or so they think, when stories fit into their existing worldviews.
- Media Framing and Political Interest
Sensationalist media coverage and politicized narratives can create misinformation for partisan purposes or simply be a function of the competitive nature of breaking a news event, regardless of the accuracy.
- Take advantage of technology and virality.
Social media, WhatsApp groups, and viral videos facilitate the rapid upgrading of narratives. Often it takes longer to correct a false claim and if the story does receive broader circulation, the false information has a huge start.
The Hidden Cost
The consequences of continuing with this parallel epidemic is profound. False reports can foster stigma, shunning not only the person affected by it, but also their families. These false reports as misinformation can exacerbate political fragmentation or interest-based bigotry, incite violence, or discredit legitimate authorities, which can hinder the work of rescue, security, and health care teams.
Further, misinformation can weaken public trust in the media and institutions for the long run, fostering a population that may be less willing to heed critical messages of compliance in emergency events for care or protection. Ghana and other contexts have been shown to associate misinformation with: underreporting cases and deaths, low adherence to public health instructions, and even suicide or violence from mass panic or scapegoating.
Mitigating the Rise of the Misinformation Epidemic
- Fact-Based, Transparent Crisis Communication
Authorities and media need to prioritize timely, accessible, transparent updates, and actively seek to fill their information void to thwart rumors.
- Building Media and Digital Literacy
Targeted initiatives to build critical thinking and verification skills and an awareness of how misinformation spreads will equip citizens to access critical information and reconsider what they read and share.
- Community Engagement
The participation of traditional leaders, religious leaders and community influencers in the dissemination of information has the ability to reach and resonate with local audiences than broadcast alone.
- Tools and Partnerships
Investing in rumor monitoring, debunking platforms and partnerships between government, technology companies, and civil society to track falsehoods that have the potential for greater viral reach.
Conclusion
In times of national tragedy, Ghana faces not just one but two crisis, the event itself and the epidemic of misinformation. As evidenced by Ghana’s experience with recent health crisis, disasters, security incidents, news, and false reports spread faster and further than facts, and in real-time matter, can rationalize beliefs, behavior and even public safety decision making. Addressing will require investments in technology, education, community engagement and reform. However, sustainable change and reform will require an ongoing commitment to embracing transparency, accountability, truth, and social cohesion and solidarity. In the end, the safety of a nation is contingent on what information citizens trust, as on the facts themselves.
