CJID deploys observers, fact-checkers for Ghana elections

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and DUBAWA, its fact-checking arm, have deployed observers for the Ghana elections.

Ghana’s general election is scheduled to be held on December 7.

In a statement on Friday, CJID said 19 observers, fact-checkers, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts have been deployed to monitor and verify information circulating ahead of the elections.

The organisation said the initiative is aimed at scaling up its measures to ensure a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process.

“These personnel are working through the organisation’s Media in National Elections (MiNE) initiative and verification campaigns, focusing on countering misinformation and disinformation that could undermine public trust in the electoral outcome,” the statement reads.

CJID said its Digital Technology, AI, and Information Disorder Analysis Centre (DAIDAC) has identified online trends threatening electoral integrity, adding that DUBAWA found evidence of political propaganda spreading on social media ahead of the polls.

“DUBAWA Ghana has also successfully debunked AI-generated deepfake content circulating on social media platforms, further exposing the novel tactics used to manipulate public opinion,” the statement reads.

“To address these challenges, CJID is collaborating closely with the Ghana Fact-checking Coalition, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and tech partners, including META and TikTok.

“Three situation rooms have been established in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi, enabling real-time monitoring, rapid verification, and prompt responses to misleading claims that could sway voters or incite tension.”

Akintunde Babatunde, director of programmes at CJID, said the goal is to strengthen trust, encourage informed participation, and ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

“By working together, citizens and institutions can uphold democratic values and safeguard Ghana’s longstanding reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies,” Babatunde said.