The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for stronger global collaboration to combat information disorder generally and health-related misinformation specifically. He warned that the spread of false information continues to endanger lives and weaken public trust in health systems across the world.
He made the call while addressing the 8th Paris Peace Forum on October 29, 2025, where he urged governments and technology platforms to take decisive steps to safeguard truth in public health communication.
“Disinformation is not an abstract issue. It distorts public health responses and undermines the work of medical professionals. When falsehood spreads faster than science, lives are lost and public confidence is shattered,” he said.
The minister cautioned that the consequences of unchecked misinformation are far-reaching, particularly in developing countries where access to accurate health information is already limited. “We have witnessed how rumours and conspiracy theories about vaccines, diseases, and treatments can lead to fear, stigma, and unnecessary deaths. We cannot afford to let false narratives dictate the health outcomes of our people,” he said.
Ablakwa also highlighted the risks of information disorder on healthcare delivery, stating: “Fake drugs, false claims of efficacy, and conspiracy theories are spreading. Children are not being vaccinated, pregnant women are avoiding the right medications, and people are dying en masse. This has also led to a public health crisis.”
He emphasised the need for partnerships between governments, international organisations, and digital platforms to ensure that reliable and evidence-based information reaches the public and urged social media companies to adopt stricter policies on the spread of false medical claims and to promote verified content from credible health institutions.
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“We must demand transparency and ethical responsibility from digital platforms. Technology must be used to protect, not poison, public understanding of health,” he added, highlighting the importance of an informed society. An informed citizenry is our strongest defence against misinformation. We must equip our people with the tools to discern truth from deception, especially in the digital age,” he said.
“Ghana believes that safeguarding truth is a shared global duty. We will continue to support initiatives that defend integrity, strengthen public health systems, and ensure that no citizen is misled in matters that affect their wellbeing,” he added.
The Paris Peace Forum, held under the theme “Building Trust, Restoring Truth: Collective Action for a Safer and Fairer World,” brought together global leaders, policymakers, and representatives from civil society to deliberate on solutions to pressing global challenges. President John Mahama was among attendees at this year’s forum.
The annual forum, established in 2018, promotes multilateral action and cooperation in areas such as peace, governance, climate, and digital transformation.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
