News
Beware of misinformation, disinformation – Dr Bawumia to Security Agencies
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has warned against the increasingly powerful influence of misinformation and disinformation on national development, especially as the nation heads towards Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December.
He has therefore called on all stakeholders, including the Military and other security agencies, to be alert and vigilant to avoid falling for fake and misleading material that could lead to unnecessary actions.
Speaking at the Joint Graduation Ceremony of the Ghana Armed Forces Command And Staff College Course 45 and the Master Of Science In Defence And International Politics in Accra on Friday, August 23, 2024 Vice President Bawumia praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their role in ensuring Ghana’s democracy is the model for the subregion, and charged them to zealously protect this hard-won reputation.
“This year marks another year where Ghanaians will go to the polls to choose a leader and representatives to parliament. Over the years, regardless of their free and fair nature, our elections have been fraught with security challenges and have in some instances, resulted in fatalities,” he said.
According to the Vice President, “In the Fourth Republic, governments have always depended on your professionalism, discipline and resolve to discharge your duties without fear or favour. However, we find ourselves in an era of intense misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeted at both the civil populace, you the Armed Forces and the government.”
“We must understand that these acts do not only have the potential to throw the Country into a state of anarchy but also impact on the wider security of the West African Region. I encourage you particularly after being given a detailed insight into the democratic control of the military, to dwell on the teachings to conduct yourselves professionally. It is imperative to ensure that stability and the tenets of democracy are upheld always,” he stated.
Citing the ever evolving nature of warfare and conflict, especially in the West Africa subregion Vice President Bawumia, who is also Chairman of the Police Council, commended the Control Board, the Military High Command, and the Management of the College for introducing courses at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College which reflect the changing times.
“As we know, the world has been experiencing a continuous shift in global power dynamics and security over the years. It is clearly far less predictable today than it was decades ago… In this regard, it is evident that the scope of warfare and security threats have equally changed and will continue to evolve from the traditional means and medium to a more complex structure. The tactics of these actors such as violent extremist groups have changed from invasions in large groups to surgical strikes targeting key national infrastructure using cheap modified first person view kamikaze drones that are highly lethal aside other equally fatal approaches,” not noted.
“Similarly, misinformation and disinformation activities have equally become the order of the day, generating support for them and disaffection towards the established central government. It is in this regard that the introduction of the Multi-Domain Operations module in the College curriculum is not only timely but pivotal in inculcating in the Graduands critically needed exposure to contemporary soldiering and arming them with the much-needed knowledge in developing counter measures and providing the keystone training concepts needed in combating such threats. Through this, we can equally position the Armed Forces, Sister Security agencies and allied armed forces to better defend Ghana and our respective friendly countries effectively,” he emphasized.
The Vice President urged the graduates, drawn from 17 countries including Ghana, to harness the insights gained during the course and the relationships forged with colleagues from different parts of the continent to work collaboratively to protect the peace and security of Africa and the world.
“I am of the firm belief that the modules and seminars you have been taken through have provided you with the platform to engage and build relationships that traverse beyond our borders. Therefore, you must understand the importance of collaborative efforts in realizing national security objectives or operational goals. These further shed light on the essence of joint operations as well as the key roles allies, multi-national agencies, sister security agencies and governmental organisations play in achieving set objectives,” he further added.
Dr.Bawumia concluded “I encourage you to take advantage of the relationship you have established and capitalize on it for enhanced co-operation. Furthermore, I urge you to use the knowledge gained to make a meaningful impact as you go out to take positions that are vital to the progress of the Ghana Armed Forces, your militaries and institutions.”
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
