Open Foundation West Africa continues its mission of fostering informed and engaged citizenship through the Ghana Polls 2024 initiative. Two key events—a workshop on combating misinformation and an edit-a-thon to enrich election-related content on Wikipedia—were successfully organized to equip stakeholders with tools to counter disinformation and document reliable information during the just-ended Ghana General elections.
The Ghana Polls campaign led by Open Foundation West Africa, aims to educate Ghanaians on the importance of exercising their constitutional right to vote while promoting peace throughout every election process. This initiative also seeks to enhance Ghana’s online presence by curating and creating content about the election process and its key players, increasing visibility on Wikipedia and beyond.
Workshop on Combating Misinformation
On November 19, 2024, OFWA hosted an insightful workshop on "Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Ahead of the 2024 General Election," as part of the Ghana Polls 2024 initiative. The event brought together media professionals, Wikipedia editors, and volunteers to address the critical challenges of false information during electoral cycles.
Experts from Code for Africa and the Wikimedia Foundation led engaging sessions on fact-checking, sourcing credible information, and leveraging digital tools to counter misinformation. Highlights included:
- Martins Ayotunde (Code for Africa): Explored the impact of misinformation on elections and strategies for media professionals to combat it.
- Abigail Adu-Daako and Nathan Forrester (Wikimedia Foundation): Shared insights on how accurate journalistic reporting aids Wikipedia editors in documenting reliable content.
The workshop also served as a platform for collaboration, empowering participants to uphold transparency and accountability in Ghana's democratic processes.
Ghana Polls 2024 Edit-a-thon
On December 8, 2024, OFWA collaborated with the Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia Ghana User Group, and Code for Africa to host the Ghana Polls 2024 Edit-a-thon. Held simultaneously in Accra, Tamale, and Walewale, the event focused on creating and enhancing Wikipedia articles related to Ghana’s elections.
The day-long event drew 61 editors from diverse backgrounds, resulting in over 200 articles created or improved on topics such as voter education, political parties, election results, and electoral reforms. Facilitators provided hands-on training on Wikipedia editing, emphasizing accuracy, neutrality, and reliable sources.
Participants lauded the Edit-a-thon for equipping them with valuable digital skills while contributing to Ghana's democratic journey by enriching open knowledge platforms.
Collaborative Peace Campaign Video
As part of the Ghana Polls 2024 initiative, OFWA worked with stakeholders from NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media professionals, and volunteers to curate a compelling peace campaign video. The campaign aimed to promote unity, tolerance, and peaceful participation in the elections, addressing concerns about electoral violence and misinformation.
The video brought together influential voices, including representatives from partner organizations and the broader community, to advocate for a transparent and harmonious electoral process. By highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding democracy, the campaign has further reinforced the initiative’s mission to combat divisive narratives and foster a culture of trust and accountability.
For more information, visit the Ghana Polls 2024 Meta Page and connect with us on social media for updates. Together, let’s build a society where accurate information thrives and misinformation has no place.
