President Nana Akufo-Addo has accused his political opponents of creating and spreading a false narrative that he is responsible for the death of his late wife, Eleanor Akufo-Addo. He also claims these same opponents are behind the controversial ‘Agyapadie’ document, which allegedly outlines a grand scheme for state capture during his administration.
Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit, themed ‘Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation in the Upcoming Election’, President Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to reject fake news and baseless rumors. He emphasized that political discourse should focus on issues and avoid personal attacks.
“In the run-up to the 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections, I was the target of numerous false and malicious stories attacking my credibility and integrity,” he said. “In 2008, baseless allegations of drug trafficking were spread, along with numerous rumors about my health intended to cast doubt on my ability to serve as President.”
The President recounted how, in the 2012 election, false reports of his alleged arrest in London for drug possession were circulated, alongside fabricated quotes designed to stir ethnic tension. In 2016, he was accused by opposition sympathizers of killing his late wife. “Today, with a few months to the 2024 elections, they are at it again,” he continued. “The fabricated document entitled ‘Agyapadie’ is being spread around by operatives of the opposition as evidence of a grand scheme by my party to annex the assets of the state.”
Since the ‘Agyapadie’ document began circulating in the media, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently dismissed it as fake. However, some Ghanaians believe that several current events align with the document’s contents, making it challenging to dismiss as entirely false.
President Akufo-Addo stressed the dire consequences of misinformation on democratic stability. He highlighted how false information can skew public perception, create confusion, and undermine the credibility of the electoral process. “The impact of misinformation and disinformation on the electoral processes cannot be exaggerated,” he said. “False information can skew public perception of candidates and political parties, leading to uninformed decision-making at the polls.”
He pointed out that the digital age, while beneficial in many ways, has also facilitated the rapid spread of false information, particularly through social media platforms. Campaigns based on misinformation often exploit societal divisions and amplify existing tensions, posing a significant risk to social cohesion and potentially inciting violence while disrupting public order.
“As we approach the 2024 general elections, we have to address these challenges head-on,” he urged. “We should take proactive measures to curb the spread of false information and ensure that the public has access to accurate and reliable information.”
President Akufo-Addo’s speech highlighted several incidents from previous election cycles where misinformation was used against him. In 2008, rumors of his involvement in drug trafficking and questions about his health were widely spread. These falsehoods were intended to undermine his presidential campaign and cast doubt on his ability to lead the country.
The 2012 election saw another wave of false accusations, including reports of his alleged arrest in London for drug possession. Fabricated quotes meant to incite ethnic tensions were also circulated. Despite these attacks, Akufo-Addo continued his campaign, maintaining his stance against misinformation.
The President urged proactive measures to combat misinformation, including education campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of fake news and the importance of verifying information. He also called for greater accountability from social media platforms for monitoring and removing false content.
