President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has strongly refuted the authenticity of the “Agyapadie” document, which he claims was fabricated by his political opponents to discredit his administration and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking at the Ghana Report Summit on misinformation and disinformation themed “Dealing with Misinformation and Disinformation – Election 2024,” Akufo-Addo stated that the document, which alleges a scheme by the NPP to annex state assets, first surfaced during the 2020 elections.
“This baseless accusation is yet another example of the malicious tactics used to undermine my credibility and integrity,” the President remarked, accusing opposition operatives of spreading the document.
The President recounted several instances from past elections where he was the target of false narratives aimed at damaging his reputation.
He cited the 2008 election cycle when he was accused of drug trafficking, and the 2012 campaign, which saw rumors of his alleged arrest in London. In 2016, similar unfounded allegations claimed that he was involved in the death of his late wife.
With the 2024 elections approaching, Akufo-Addo believes the resurfacing of the “Agyapadie” document is a continuation of these tactics, aimed at creating public mistrust.
Addressing the dangers of misinformation in the democratic process, President Akufo-Addo called for a comprehensive approach to combat false information.
He emphasized the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, collaboration with technology companies to monitor digital platforms, and public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on media literacy.
He urged all political actors to commit to truthfulness in their campaigns, stressing that the spread of false information erodes public trust and undermines democracy. Civil society, according to the President, also has a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability, helping to curb the harmful impact of disinformation.
