Ghana Bolsters Fight Against Online Misinformation and AI-Generated Deepfakes Amidst Rising Concerns
ACCRA, Ghana – In an intensifying battle against the proliferation of fake news and manipulated digital content, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is significantly strengthening its efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation, and the growing menace of AI-generated deepfakes permeating social media platforms. The urgency of this fight was underscored at a joint press briefing held on August 4, 2025, by the CSA and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, where officials expressed grave concerns about the surge in fake accounts deliberately disseminating misleading information to the public, jeopardizing the integrity of online information and potentially inciting unrest.
The rise of sophisticated AI tools capable of manipulating images and videos with alarming realism has further complicated the landscape, making it increasingly difficult to discern authentic content from fabricated material. This technological advancement presents a formidable challenge for authorities struggling to maintain a grip on the spread of misinformation and the potential for malicious actors to exploit these tools for nefarious purposes. Social media influencer Joshua Buernortey Boye-Doe, popularly known as KalyJay on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the critical need for effective strategies to monitor and address pages intentionally spreading falsehoods, raising the question of the CSA’s preparedness to tackle this burgeoning threat.
In response to these pressing concerns, CSA Director-General Divine Selassie Agbeti revealed the establishment of a dedicated social media monitoring team, a direct result of a directive from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations. This newly operational unit signifies a crucial step towards proactively identifying and addressing the spread of misinformation on various platforms. However, Agbeti acknowledged the complexities involved in taking down misleading or harmful accounts. The challenge stems from the fact that Ghana does not possess direct ownership or regulatory control over major social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Consequently, the CSA relies heavily on these companies to take action, often requiring extensive justification and a protracted process.
“We have taken down multiple accounts,” Agbeti explained, “but the problem is these platforms—Facebook, TikTok—we don’t own them in Ghana. The owners are not Ghanaians, and they’re not in Ghana. So, for us to take these down, we have to give a lot of justifications to the platform owners, and the platform owners actually carry out their own investigations before they decide.” This intricate process underscores the limitations faced by national authorities in regulating content on global platforms and highlights the need for increased collaboration and streamlined procedures between governments and social media companies.
The CSA also addressed the escalating threat of deepfakes and AI-manipulated content, recognizing the deceptive nature of these fabricated materials and their potential to mislead the public. “We have been doing a lot of work in this area,” Agbeti stated, “We’ve taken down multiple accounts, but sometimes you take one down and a new one pops up the next morning.” This cat-and-mouse game between authorities and malicious actors demonstrates the persistent nature of the problem and the need for innovative solutions to counteract the rapid proliferation of deepfakes. The CSA highlighted the surge in cryptocurrency scam accounts utilizing deepfakes as a major concern, underscoring the financial risks associated with this evolving form of online deception.
The CSA emphasized that its efforts to curb disinformation extend beyond simple takedowns. The authority is actively exploring avenues for government engagement with platform owners to address the issue more effectively. “We are working hard and we are going to take this further to maybe see how the government can engage platform owners directly,” Agbeti explained, adding that the Minister for Communications is spearheading efforts to fortify the online ecosystem against these emerging threats. This proactive approach signifies a commitment to collaborate with international stakeholders and strengthen regulatory frameworks to combat the spread of misinformation and protect the integrity of online information consumed by Ghanaian citizens. The CSA’s intensified efforts reflect a growing global concern over the insidious nature of online misinformation and the need for robust strategies to counter its detrimental impact on individuals and society as a whole. The ongoing battle against deepfakes and AI-manipulated content highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions and international cooperation to address this evolving challenge and safeguard the integrity of the digital landscape.