GJA President Urges Political Stakeholders to Respect Journalists During Elections.

Accra: Mr Albert Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has issued a stern warning to political and election stakeholders, advising those who cannot accommodate journalists to maintain their distance. Speaking at a training session for journalists enrolled in the 'Advanced Course on Disinformation and Fact-Checking during the Election Process for Ghanaian Journalists,' Mr. Dwumfour emphasized the GJA's zero tolerance policy towards any form of attack on journalists throughout the election period.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Dwumfour highlighted the critical role journalists play in debunking disinformation and misinformation through fact-checking, which he described as 'non-negotiable' in modern journalism. This initiative aims to foster transparency and accountability, guiding citizens to make informed decisions and safeguarding the peace and democracy of the nation.The training course was organized by CASA Africa, in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Ghana, GJA, a nd Spanish media outlets Maldita.ES and Newtral. Mr. Joan Tusell Prats, Head of Media Relations at CASA Africa, underscored the global challenge posed by disinformation, stressing the importance of sharing expertise with African media professionals.Mr. Angel Lossada-Torres Quevedo, the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, also encouraged journalists to actively combat fake news, highlighting its potential threat to Ghana's democracy. The training, comprising six sessions over two days, provides journalists with tools to identify and counter disinformation as the nation approaches its December 7 elections.Topics at the training include 'Political Fact-Checking and Emerging Narratives' by Maria G. Dionis from Newtral, 'Disinformation Tactics' by Laura del Rio from Maldita.ES, 'Debunking Disinformation: Practical Cases in Ghana' by Kwaku Krobea Asante of MFWA, and 'Disinformation in Ghana: General Overview' by Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, a seasoned fact-checker.