NCCE condemns Wontumi TV’s Oheneba Asiedu over false election news

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has criticized Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter with Kumasi-based Wontumi FM, for spreading false information about the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The presenter was arrested on Saturday (23 November), for publishing false news, an offence under Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

In a viral video, Oheneba Nana Asiedu claimed that the large number of presidential aspirants in the 2024 elections required splitting the voting process into two separate days. He alleged that voters would cast ballots for candidates numbered 1 to 7 on 7 December 2024, while a later date would be set for the remaining aspirants.

The NCCE, in a press release signed by its chairperson Kathleen Addy, condemned the statements as “false, misleading, and a dangerous form of disinformation intended to confuse the public and undermine the electoral process.”

The Commission reaffirmed that the general elections would take place as scheduled on Saturday (7 December 2024), with all presidential and parliamentary candidates appearing on a single ballot for voters to make their choice.

Disinformation, the NCCE emphasized, is a serious threat to democracy. It urged the public to verify election-related information through official sources before sharing it and to reject false narratives that could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process.

The NCCE also commended the swift action by the Ghana Police Service in arresting the presenter, expressing confidence that legal proceedings would serve as a deterrent to others.

To counter such incidents, the NCCE announced plans to intensify its voter education campaigns nationwide, ensuring citizens are well-informed as the December polls approach.

Below is NCCE’s press statement.

DISINFORMATION THREATENS DEMOCRACY

The attention of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media where one Oheneba Nana Asiedu, a presenter with a Kumasi-based radio and Television station is misinforming the general public about the election 2024.

The presenter is heard making claims that ‘the number of Presidential Aspirants for this year’s general election is many, and so the voting days have been scheduled separately for the aspirants. ‘ He claims there are two voting days: the first one for aspirants 1 to 7 and a later date for the remaining aspirants.

These statements are false and misleading and amongst to disinformation. The NCCE urges the general public to ignore the video and its content.

CORRECT INFORMATION

Officially, there is only one voting day for the election 2024. Saturday, 7th December 2024 is the day. Voting starts from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm for both Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates. All qualified Presidential Candidates in the December polls will be on one ballot, and the electorate will vote for their preferred candidate. The same goes for Parliamentary Aspirants.

The NCCE condemns such deliberate and orchestrated actions by some individuals, media personalities and political actors who spread fake news and mislead the general public.

The Commission entreats all to verify information before sharing.

Disinformation is a threat to democracy, and we must collectively reject it. The Commission will continue to intensify civic and voter education nationwide to empower citizens with knowledge even as we head to the December, 7 polls and beyond.

The National Commission for Civic Education commends the Ghana Police Service for its swift action in handling the matter. We are assured that the law will take its full course to deter others from taking such actions.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom

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