The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) will host a high-level regional media summit in Accra, Ghana, on July 9 to address the escalating threat of disinformation on democratic governance across West Africa.
The landmark event, themed “Defending Democracy in West Africa: The Role of Media,” will gather an influential cohort of journalists, policymakers, civil society leaders, academics, and international delegates. Together, participants will collaborate on robust strategies to strengthen information integrity and protect democratic institutions across the sub-region.
Seven Years of Countering Misinformation
The upcoming summit also commemorates a major milestone: seven years of CJID’s impactful operations in Ghana through DUBAWA Ghana. Launched as a dedicated fact-checking initiative, DUBAWA has been at the forefront of combating misinformation, elevating media literacy, and preserving election integrity across the region.
In tandem with the main event, CJID will conduct a specialized regional Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) workshop for 15 selected journalists from across West Africa. This intensive training aims to equip media professionals with advanced skills to verify digital content, expose coordinated influence operations, and counter the emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence, synthetic media, and cross-border disinformation networks.
High-Level Coalition Formed to Protect Regional Integrity
The summit is set to feature a keynote address by George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of Ghana’s National Media Commission, alongside formal remarks from Ghana’s Minister of State for Government Communications. The high-profile gathering will draw active participation from key global and regional bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United Nations, diplomatic missions, and international development partners.
A central feature of the event will be a high-level panel discussion. This session will unite journalists, academics, media development experts, and press freedom advocates to analyze policy frameworks and media-driven solutions required to curb the viral spread of false information.
The Growing Threat of AI and Synthetic Media
Speaking on the urgency of the upcoming convening, CJID Executive Director Akintunde Babatunde warned that the rapid evolution of digital tools has fundamentally altered the information landscape. He emphasized that the rising sophistication of artificial intelligence, synthetic media, and state-backed influence campaigns presents unprecedented challenges for democratic societies.
“The quality of our democracies will increasingly depend on the quality of our information ecosystems,” Babatunde stated. “Stronger regional collaboration and better-equipped journalists are essential to protecting public trust and strengthening democratic accountability.”
As a premier pan-African media development organization, CJID currently operates across 13 African countries, championing investigative journalism, fact-checking, innovation, and digital resilience. Through the expansion of DUBAWA, the organization continues to reinforce West African newsrooms, ensuring citizens maintain access to verified, reliable information.
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