Mahama Pledges Ghana’s Commitment to Information Integrity and Independent Media

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to defending truth, promoting independent journalism, and combating global misinformation, as he announced key decisions at an international forum on information and democracy held in Paris.

Speaking on behalf of the government and people of Ghana at Paris Peace Forum, 2025, President Mahama expressed “profound appreciation” to the organizers — the International Fund for Public Interest Media, the Forum on Information and Democracy, and the Republic of France — for convening what he described as “a timely and consequential meeting.”

“Throughout these sessions, we’ve confronted one of the defining challenges of our time — how to defend truth and sustain trust in an era where disinformation, manipulation and technological disruption threaten the very foundation of our democracies,” President Mahama said.

He stressed that the issue of information integrity transcends media freedom alone, calling it “a matter of national security, economic stability, and democratic survival.”

President Mahama lauded the tangible outcomes of the conference, including the endorsement of the Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media, which reaffirms a global commitment to free, independent, and pluralistic media ecosystems.

He noted that renewed political and financial commitments had been made to replenish the International Fund for Public Interest Media, targeting €130 million between 2026 and 2028 to support independent journalism worldwide.

The conference also endorsed the establishment of a Consultative Committee to enhance coordination among states, civil society, and the Forum on Information and Democracy.

“Above all,” Mahama emphasized, “there is now a shared understanding that the defense of truth must be a sustained and collective endeavor transcending national and institutional boundaries.”

In a major announcement, the former president revealed that Ghana has formally decided to assume full membership of the Partnership for Information and Democracy, underscoring the nation’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and open governance.

“This landmark decision sends a clear message to the international community that Ghana remains steadfast in advancing the frontiers of freedom, upholding the rule of law, and promoting democracy and good governance,” he said.

President Mahama further disclosed that Ghana will become the first African country to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media, demonstrating the nation’s conviction that “independent journalism and reliable information are indispensable public goods.”

Highlighting the growing global threat of disinformation, Mahama warned that falsehoods “shape elections, distort public health responses, fuel conflicts, and undermine the fight against climate change.”

He also addressed the role of artificial intelligence in reshaping the information landscape, noting both its opportunities and dangers.

“While AI offers immense opportunities for innovation, it also amplifies the risk of misinformation and economic disruption. Deep fakes, synthetic media and algorithmic manipulation are reshaping what our societies perceive to be the truth,” he cautioned.

“Our collective task must therefore be to harness AI responsibly — to promote transparency and ensure that technological progress strengthens rather than undermines public trust.”

President Mahama underscored the critical role of journalists and free media in sustaining democracy.

“Independent journalism is not a luxury; it is a public good,” he declared. “When journalists can hold their governments accountable, societies flourish. When truth is defended, peace is preserved, and when citizens can access reliable information, democracy endures.”

He urged the international community to invest in truth “as deliberately as it invests in infrastructure, energy, or defense,” warning that “the cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of those commitments.”

Citing Nelson Mandela, Mahama ended with a call to global solidarity in defending information integrity:

“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. That conviction must guide us as we translate the outcomes of this conference into lasting global action.”