UDS partners Cornell University to hold dialogue on managing communication in the age of disinformation

The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has held a day’s dialogue on media for social transformation in the era of disinformation in partnership with the Cornell University and the Star Ghana Foundation. The forum took place on Saturday, 23^rd November, 2024 at the Andani Andan Auditorium of the UDS central administration.

The Public Dialogue Forum was led by an assistant professor at the University of Cornell’s Department of Communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (USA), Dr. Wumpini Fatimata Mohammed in collaboration with the University for Development Studies’ Department of Communication, Innovation and Technology in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and Star Ghana Foundation as partners.

The forum brought together scholars, practitioners, students and community leaders to engage in

insightful discussions on key communication issues impacting society today ahead of the upcoming general elections in a couple of weeks. It was also to exchange ideas, network, and contribute to meaningful dialogues that foster innovation and development under the theme:Media for Social Transformation in the Age of Disinformation.

The panel for the day were Professor Amin Alhassan, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim Tanko, Executive Director of the Star Ghana Foundation and Dr. Wumpini Fatimata Mohammed, the Project Lead from Cornell University.

In his opening remarks at the dialogue, Head of Department for the Department of Communication, Innovation and Technology at the University for Development Studies, Dr. Mohammed Abdulai recounted the long-standing relationship that exists between the Faculty of Communication and Dr. Wumpini Fatimata Mohammed and urged participants to pay attention to the insightful deliberations from the panelist who according to him were carefully selected for the purpose of leaving a mark on participants due to their experience in their chosen endeavours in media, academia and civil society.

He said, “The partnership or relationship between Professor Wunpini and the department started in 2002, since then she has actually supported the department in various ways. She has supported in teaching, supervision and in 2002, she was a keynote speaker for our student association, that is Comsag.”

Dr. Abdulai added that, “this programme is very good, it is a very important programme. It will help our students; we have both postgraduate and graduate students and they will learn a lot about media for social transformation in the age of disinformation. So on behalf of the Dean of our faculty, I will like to thank Professor Wunpini for her continued support to our department in teaching, supervision and then connecting with us to organize this dialogue.”

Each of the panel members then shared their perspectives on the theme for the dialogue.

For Professor Amin Alhassan, he emphasized the need for all Ghanaians to be wary of the use of social media to communicate political information ahead of the election. He said there is a sharp increase in the influence of social media in this year’s election than the 2020 election which is a precursor for disaster if care is not taken.

“This election will witness for the first time an election where and unprecedented number of Ghanaians are on social media. Just to give you an example, in the last election, just getting closer to 2019 before the 2020 general elections, social media commanded 15% of the market. As at last year, it was commanding 35% of the market for news information” Prof Amin stated.

For his part, Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim Tanko called for a paradigm shift in the approach to development in the country, since according to him, the same things are being done since time immemorial and yet no change has come our way as a country.

Alhaji Amidu said, “Wherever you sit in the political divide, wherever you come from in this country, whatever association you belong to, it is clear that we are in a crisis. Not just, economic crisis but we are in a crisis about who really, we are. We are in a crisis as to what direction we are.”

“We are still grappling with the same problems that confronted us after independence and at the dawn of independence. And so, we do know that as we sit today, we continue to do the same things every day. And so, it is time for us to ask critical questions, as to what else we need to do?”, Alhaj Amidu concluded.

For her part, Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed called for equal treatment of the various gender in terms of contest for political positions especially this year when for the first time in the country’s history, a woman is contesting a vice-presidential position for a major political party.

“I think I said this in the opening remarks that this is a very critical election year because for the first time we have a woman vice presidential candidate for a major political party in Ghana. And to be very honest I feel like women in politics have to deal with a lot. They first of all have to within the political arena, there are hidden roles for women where women are cast aside in particular roles.” Dr. Wunpini stated.

She added that, “Historically, women are often been cornered to the role of women organizer and the men occupying the other major roles and the example that you gave is actually very common. Last year, I witnessed it also watching television here in Tamale where a woman political speaker was referred to as a prostitute. So, one of the problems we have in Ghana is that in Ghana, a lot of the time we like to say that women do not like to participate in politics but also there are many factors that influence people to stay in politics.” Dr. Wunpini added.

The broader aim of the dialogue was to among other things foster community conversations about the role of the media in Ghana as an essential and critical issue this election year.

The forum had in attendance scholars, practitioners, community leaders, experts,

journalists, students and other stakeholders to address the challenges and responsibilities of ethical journalism, especially in an era dominated by social media, misinformation, and

disinformation.

The panelists explored these various themes and how media and communication can drive social

transformation, encouraging the adoption of ethical practices that prioritize peace, community

welfare, and accurate information sharing.

At the end of the dialogue, participants were equipped with insights into how media can support positive social change and promote a peaceful and informed electoral process in Ghana ahead of election 2024.