The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has strongly denounced the actions of Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter with Kumasi-based Wontumi FM, for broadcasting false information about the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
Oheneba Nana Asiedu was arrested on Saturday, November 23, on charges of publishing false news, contrary to Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
In a widely circulated video, the presenter falsely claimed that due to the high number of presidential aspirants, voting had been split into two days. He alleged that voters would cast ballots for candidates numbered 1 to 7 on December 7, while the remaining aspirants would be voted for at a later date.
NCCE Issues Strong Warning Against Fake News
In a statement signed by its chairperson, Kathleen Addy, the NCCE labeled the broadcast as “false, misleading, and a dangerous form of disinformation intended to confuse the public and undermine the electoral process.” The Commission emphasized that such acts of misinformation threaten the democratic principles upon which Ghana’s elections are based.
The NCCE reiterated that the 2024 general elections will take place as scheduled on Saturday, December 7, 2024, with voting from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Both presidential and parliamentary candidates will appear on one ballot paper, and voters will cast their votes on the same day.
Call for Responsible Information Sharing
The NCCE urged the public to verify information before sharing it and called on media professionals to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and integrity. “Disinformation is a threat to democracy, and we must collectively reject it,” the Commission stated.
The NCCE further commended the Ghana Police Service for its prompt action in apprehending the presenter and assured the public that the law would take its full course.
Intensifying Civic Education
As part of its mandate, the NCCE pledged to ramp up civic and voter education efforts nationwide to equip citizens with accurate information as the elections approach. “We remain committed to empowering voters to make informed decisions and safeguarding the credibility of Ghana’s electoral process,” the statement concluded.
The NCCE’s condemnation and call for accountability underscore the critical role of accurate information in preserving Ghana’s democracy. This incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility media practitioners and citizens have in maintaining trust in the nation’s electoral system.
BELOW IS THE FULL NCCE’s PRESS STATEMENT.
DISINFORMATION THREATENS DEMOCRACY
The attention of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media where one Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter with a Kumasi-Based Radio and Television station is misinforming the general public about the election 2024.
The presenter is heard making claims that ‘the number of Presidential Aspirants for this year’s general election is many, and so the voting days have been scheduled separately for the aspirants. ‘
He claims there are two voting days: the first one for aspirants 1 to 7 and a later date for the remaining aspirants. These statements are false and misleading and amongst to disinformation.
The NCCE urges the general public to ignore the video and its content.
CORRECT INFORMATION
Officially, there is only one voting day for the election 2024. Saturday, 7th December, 2024 is the day. Voting starts from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm for both Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates. All qualified Presidential Candidates in the December polls will be on one ballot, and the electorate will vote for their preferred candidate. The same goes for Parliamentary Aspirants. The NCCE condemns such deliberate and orchestrated actions by some individuals, media personalities and political actors who spread fake news and mislead the general public. The Commission entreats all to verify information before sharing. Disinformation is a threat to democracy and we must collectively reject it. The Commission will continue to intensify civic and voter education nationwide to empower citizens with knowledge even as we head to the December, 7 polls and beyond. The National Commission for Civic Education commends the Ghana Police Service for its swift action in handling the matter. We are assured that the law will take its full course to deter others from taking such actions.
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