Global Media and Information Literacy Week Marked in Tamale with Youth Conference.

Tamale: Penplusbytes and its partner, Youth Kommunity, both NGOs, have held the inaugural Youth Against Disinformation Conference as part of activities to mark the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week in the country. The day's event, held in Tamale, under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and with support of DW Akademie, aimed to address the critical issue of disinformation, especially in the lead up to this year's general election. It was attended by selected students from the Northern Region, who were educated on the impact of disinformation and how to make informed decisions in the upcoming general election.According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Precious Ankomah, Head of Programmes, Penplusbytes Ghana, speaking during the event, emphasised the importance of informing the youth about their social responsibilities and distinguishing between fact and fiction. She said, 'When you are informed, it helps you make better decisions. That is why we ha ve brought you together to educate you on identifying disinformation and protecting yourselves against it.' She advised young people not to vote for a candidate solely because of parental influence, tribal affiliations or religious background but to vote on evidence-based policies and manifestos.Mr Hamid Yakubu, who represented UNESCO during the event, cautioned against spreading falsehood and misleading information. He said, 'As young people, don't share information on social media without verifying its accuracy. Consider the potential harm to individuals, ethnic groups, or society.' He encouraged young people to use digital tools for fact-checking and critical thinking before disseminating information.Mr Abdul-Majeed Yakubu, Northern Regional Chairman, Ghana Journalists Association, advised young people to take control of their future and 'Use social media for your benefit but not for politicians or self-seeking individuals.'