The training, organised with support from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), brought together over 30 journalists from selected districts in the Upper East, Upper West and North East regions.

One of the key sessions focused on digital security and the growing role of misinformation in shaping security narratives. The session was facilitated by Sharon Willis Brown-Acquah, Programs Officer at CDD-Ghana and a member of the Center’s Security Sector Governance team.

The module introduced journalists to practical tools that help verify online content and protect sensitive information sources. Participants were trained to use fact-checking tools such as TinEye, the InVID WeVerify plugin, and EXIF metadata analysis to identify manipulated or misleading digital content.

Brown-Acquah said the session aimed to equip journalists with the skills needed to verify information before publication and to protect both themselves and their sources in the digital environment.

“I took participants through digital security and introduced them to fact-checking tools and ways in which they can protect their sources, especially when dealing with sensitive information,” she said.

She also cautioned journalists about the risks associated with unsecured internet connections.

“There is a need to desist from signing onto public Wi-Fi whenever there is a need to share sensitive information,” she advised.

In addition, participants were encouraged to collaborate within regional media networks to help verify information before publication.

“We also encouraged them to join media security networks in their regions so that when information begins circulating, there are trusted colleagues who can help verify whether it is accurate or false,” Brown-Acquah added.

The digital security session highlighted the growing role of misinformation in fueling tensions and conflict. In many cases, viral content shared on social media platforms is taken out of context or originates from incidents in other countries but is circulated as if it occurred locally.

Journalists were therefore introduced to verification techniques such as reverse image search, video keyframe analysis and metadata examination to determine the origin and authenticity of digital content before reporting on it.

Participants also explored strategies for protecting their data and digital accounts, including enabling two-factor authentication, encrypting sensitive communications and recognizing phishing attempts designed to compromise journalists’ devices.

For many participants, the session provided practical insights into navigating the digital information environment.

Lilian Bongnia, a journalist with Info Radio, Upper West Region, said the training helped clarify key distinctions within the information ecosystem.

“I learnt the difference between misinformation, disinformation and malinformation,” she noted.

Similarly, James Nana Tsiquaye, a journalist with Dreams FM in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, said the tools introduced during the training would improve how journalists verify information before publication.

“Some of the tools mentioned, I already knew about, but the training added more depth. As journalists, before we publish a story or even share information, there are things we must look out for. Today we learned practical ways to verify information and we hope to apply them in our work,” he said.

The digital security module formed part of a broader training programme that covered topics including the drivers of violent extremism, early warning indicators, and the regional security dynamics affecting Northern Ghana.

Through the workshop, CDD-Ghana seeks to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report responsibly on sensitive security issues and to contribute to social cohesion in communities across Northern Ghana.

According to him, although women are often viewed primarily as victims during communal disputes, their position within families and social networks can also enable them to shape how conflicts evolve.

Speaking on the issue of illegal arms circulation, Mr. Mensah said that weapons in civilian hands pose a serious threat to national peace and security. He warned that the presence of unregulated firearms increases the risk of violence, robbery, and accidental harm, particularly in cases where owners lack proper training.

“More arms in circulation and in civilian hands is not good for the peace of a country,” he said, noting that psychological and temperament issues among individuals can also make firearm possession risky.

Governments worldwide often implement amnesty programs to retrieve illegal weapons from civilians. In Ghana, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has introduced similar initiatives to encourage voluntary surrender without prosecution.

However, Mr. Mensah said the response has been underwhelming, with only a small number of people complying.

He attributed low participation to unresolved conflicts in many parts of the country, including land disputes, chieftaincy tensions, and communal clashes, which leave individuals feeling vulnerable.

“In situations where people are involved in chieftaincy or land-related conflicts, they fear that surrendering their weapons will leave them exposed to attacks,” he explained. “If these underlying conflicts remain unresolved, people will continue to feel the need to protect themselves.”

Mr. Mensah also highlighted the cultural use of firearms in festivals and ceremonial events. While traditional displays once relied on gunpowder-based weapons, modern ammunition is increasingly used, sometimes resulting in injuries and accidents.

Rising armed robberies, including highway attacks, further discourage civilians from giving up their weapons. The perception that firearms are necessary for self-defence, he said, reinforces resistance to amnesty programs.

To tackle the problem, Mr. Mensah recommended a two-pronged approach: resolving communal, land, and chieftaincy disputes to reduce fear-driven ownership, and intensifying law enforcement efforts against armed robbery networks.

He also called for strict punitive measures for offenders and publicizing successful arrests to serve as a deterrent.

“Until the root causes that make people feel unsafe are addressed, voluntary surrender of weapons will remain a challenge,” Mensah said.

The remarks came during a two-day training workshop for journalists from the North East, Upper East, and Upper West Regions on Conflict-Sensitive Journalism and National Security in Tamale, funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.

Source: A1 Radio

According to the organization, chieftaincy and land disputes occurring across several traditional areas in the country have significant social and economic consequences.

CDD-Ghana notes that prolonged and unresolved chieftaincy and land conflicts pose a major threat to stability and economic development.

Speaking during the engagement, the Programme Manager and Team Lead for Security Sector Governance at CDD-Ghana, Paul Nana Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, explained that such conflicts can create conditions that make communities vulnerable to radicalization and extremist infiltration.

“We are conducting a landscape assessment of structural vulnerabilities, and one of the key issues we identified is the numerous chieftaincy and land-related conflicts across the country, particularly in northern Ghana, and the impact they can have,” he said.

Mensah further highlighted the financial burden conflict places on the state, noting that significant public resources are spent on maintaining security in conflict-prone areas.

“Some of the funds used to contain these conflicts involve heavy security deployments. Data from national security shows that Bawku alone costs close to one million Ghana cedis each month in security expenditure,” he said. “That translates to about 12 million Ghana cedis annually—resources that could otherwise be invested in development projects.”

He also pointed to the issue of brain drain in communities affected by prolonged conflicts.

“As soon as conflict begins, banks close their branches, teachers and other public service workers either leave or refuse postings to those communities,” he explained. “These are the broader consequences that both the state and communities must consider, beyond the individuals directly involved in the disputes.”

The engagement aimed to raise awareness about how chieftaincy disputes affect national reconciliation, social cohesion, and economic activity.

By informing and equipping journalists, CDD-Ghana hopes to promote responsible and conflict-sensitive reporting that contributes to a better understanding of these issues and supports peaceful resolutions.

The program, supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), brought together selected journalists from the Upper East, North East, and Upper West Regions for a specialized capacity-building workshop in Tamale.

The training goes beyond basic journalism practice, focusing on security literacy, social cohesion, and conflict-sensitive reporting, with the aim of strengthening the media’s role in promoting community resilience and preventing violent extremism in northern Ghana.

Source: A1 Radio

The training will take place from March 10 to March 11, 2026 in Tamale, and will bring together 40 journalists from the Upper East, North East and Upper West regions. The initiative forms part of CDD-Ghana’s efforts to strengthen responsible reporting on security and conflict related issues while promoting social cohesion.

The workshop is being organised by the Security Sector Governance team at CDD-Ghana under a project supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

The training is designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools required to report responsibly on emerging security threats, including violent extremism. It will focus on improving security literacy among journalists and strengthening the media’s role in preventing conflict escalation.

Participants will explore how media narratives can influence public perception and community relations, particularly in areas where tensions around land, chieftaincy disputes and cross border movements already exist.

Paul Nana Aborampah Mensah, Program Manager and Team Lead for Security Sector Governance at CDD-Ghana, said the training responds to the growing need for responsible reporting on sensitive security matters.

“Journalists reports on some of these incidents and sometimes the line of reporting, instead of bringing peace, escalates tensions,” he said. “Through this training, we want to walk journalists through what we call conflict sensitive reporting. At the end of the day, we want them to understand the structural problems and what they can do to contribute to Ghana’s efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and prevent extremism.”

He added that the project is also designed to prevent radical and violent extremist groups from taking advantage of existing vulnerabilities.

“The aim is to reduce these vulnerabilities so that extremist groups cannot exploit the gaps that may exist within communities to enter Ghana,” he explained.

The workshop will be delivered through five structured modules designed to combine theoretical understanding with practical exercises.

The first module introduces key concepts around violent extremism, prevention of violent extremism and radicalisation. The second module focuses on identifying vulnerability and early warning indicators. The third module explores Ghana’s security landscape. It will examine issues such as chieftaincy disputes, land tenure systems, climate pressures and transhumance movements.

The fourth module focuses on conflict sensitive journalism. Participants will examine reporting approaches to sensitive topics such as relations between Fulbe communities and local populations.

The final module will focus on digital security and cyber literacy. Journalists will learn practical fact checking tools, strategies for protecting sources and data, and approaches for countering misinformation that can inflame tensions.

Through the partnership between CDD-Ghana and GCERF, the initiative seeks to position journalists in Northern Ghana as key actors in promoting stability and resilience.

CDD-Ghana continues to work with media practitioners, civil society organisations and local communities to strengthen democratic governance and support initiatives that promote peace and security across Ghana.

The outreach focused on key issues, including teenage pregnancy, abortion, contraceptives, and family planning. The engagement aimed to encourage informed decision-making and improve public understanding of reproductive health rights.

The exercise was informed by findings from the Afrobarometer survey, which examined Ghanaians’ views and experiences regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.

According to the survey results, a majority of citizens believe women should have the freedom to make decisions about marriage and reproduction.

Many respondents also support the view that girls who become pregnant should still be allowed to continue their education, while sex education in schools also enjoys broad public support.

However, the study revealed mixed opinions regarding access to contraceptives for sexually active individuals regardless of age.

Views were also divided on abortion, although many respondents said the procedure may be justified if the life or health of the mother is at risk.

During the discussion, a representative of Marie Stopes International, Samuel Yemetey, explained the different family planning options available to individuals and couples.

He stressed that medical consultation remains essential before selecting any method.

“It is important for people to seek counselling and medical assessment so that health professionals can determine which family planning option is suitable for them,” he said.

Mr Yemetey also addressed some misconceptions surrounding contraceptives.

“We encourage citizens to learn more about their reproductive health rights, while policymakers must also implement people-centered policies that improve access to reproductive health services,” she stated.

The Kaneshie Market Queen, Lydia Naa Koowa Quaye, also urged Ghanaians to take the sensitisation seriously and discuss reproductive health issues openly within families.

“Couples must be honest and transparent with each other about family planning and the number of children they want,” she advised.

Source: MyJoyOnline

The 2024 SOR covers the performance of state entities between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The significant post-reporting-period event is that following the general elections held on 7 December 2024, a new administration led by President John Dramani Mahama assumed office on 7 January 2025. While the performance assessed in this report took place under the Akufo-Addo administration, the reporting of 2024 activity was done under the new administration.

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The Draft Model Bill on Political Finance in Ghana seeks to address the growing influence of money in the country’s electoral and political processes by introducing clearer regulatory measures and accountability mechanisms.

The engagement, held in Takoradi, forms part of a nationwide consultation series being organised in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It aimed to promote public understanding of the proposed legislation, highlight its key provisions, and gather citizens’ feedback to refine the bill.

The programme brought together citizens, political actors, civil society organisations, youth groups, and representatives of regulatory institutions to examine the draft’s content, implications, and enforcement mechanisms.

Mr. Joseph Oti Frimpong, Programmes Officer at CDD-Ghana, said that although Ghana’s democracy is regarded as one of the strongest in Africa, significant challenges persist in its practice.

“One of the major problems is the monetisation of the political landscape and the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to regulate political party financing in Ghana,” he stated.

He explained that the draft bill was developed to bridge gaps in existing legal frameworks, including the absence of spending limits for political parties, the lack of caps on contributions, and limited regulation of candidates’ campaign financing.

According to Mr. Frimpong, feedback gathered from the regional engagements would be compiled and fine-tuned before submission to the Attorney-General to support the development of a comprehensive political party financing law aligned with international best practice.

Mr. Victor Brobbey, Deputy Chairperson in charge of General Services at the NCCE, described vote-buying and the corrupting influence of money as worrying features of Ghana’s electoral culture.

“Silence, indifference and social acceptance have allowed these practices to persist, even when many Ghanaians privately condemn them,” he noted.

He warned that when politics becomes transactional, public office risks being treated as an investment that must generate returns, undermining genuine public service and accountability.

“The NCCE strongly supports the initiative by CDD-Ghana. Reforms of this magnitude cannot rest on institutions alone; an informed and engaged citizenry is its strongest foundation,” Mr. Brobbey added.

He urged citizens to reject inducements, demand substance over patronage, and hold leaders accountable beyond election periods to promote shared prosperity.

Participants at the forum took turns to share their views and suggestions on the draft bill as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance framework.

Source: Citi Newsroom

The forum in Wa was the second in a series of 10 regional consultations that CDD-Ghana is conducting across the country between February 23 and March 13, 2026, with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British Government. The consultations seek to gather public input on a Draft Model Political Financing Bill developed by CDD-Ghana to address the growing influence of wealth on Ghana’s electoral and political processes. The draft law has already been reviewed by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department for consideration.

Jacob Tetteh Ahuno, Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with CDD-Ghana, told participants that the stakes of inaction could not be overstated. He linked unregulated campaign financing directly to poor public services, citing sole-sourced procurement, substandard infrastructure, and governance failures as consequences of a system where wealthy campaign backers call the shots. “We believe if we don’t manage our campaign finance system, we’re heading towards a state capture, where campaign financiers get to dictate what the state in terms of policies and initiatives are going to be,” he said, adding that outcomes would serve financiers rather than the broader public.

William Nyarko, Consultant for CDD-Ghana on Political Campaign Finance and Executive Director of the African Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), identified three critical gaps in Ghana’s current legal framework: no law specifically regulating candidate funding and financing, no defined campaigning period, and no provision against the abuse of incumbency during elections. He said political parties and candidates were central to democracy but their funding must be brought within democratic norms. “Whatever happens when they are in public office is as important as how they get into public office,” he said.

The NCCE’s Upper West Regional Director, John Yibile, opened the forum by tying political financing reform to the broader promise of Ghanaian democracy. He observed that Ghana has historically demonstrated skill at law making but struggled with implementation and enforcement, and called on participants to commit not just to shaping the bill but to holding institutions accountable once it becomes law.

The urgency of the reform drive is backed by research. CDD-Ghana’s own studies show that the average cost of contesting a parliamentary seat rose 59 percent between 2012 and 2016, reaching an average of GH¢389,803. By 2020 that figure had climbed to as much as GH¢4 million per candidate, with investigators finding that a significant share of those funds came from opaque sources, including networks linked to organised crime.

The Wa forum brought together civil society organisations, traditional authorities, academics, youth and women’s groups, persons with disabilities, political parties, and representatives from across the Upper West Region. Following the remaining eight regional forums, CDD-Ghana will consolidate public feedback before presenting a revised draft law to Parliament and the Attorney-General’s Department as part of a broader push for comprehensive political finance legislation ahead of Ghana’s next electoral cycle.

Source: News Ghana

The dialogue, held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, brought together more than 100 policymakers, civil society leaders, academics, journalists, and citizens to examine progress made, assess continuing governance and economic challenges, and identify priority reforms required to consolidate gains in accountability and democratic governance. The roundtable formed part of CDD-Ghana’s broader commitment to fostering inclusive, non-partisan, and evidence-informed public policy engagement.

Through the presentation and subsequent discussions, participants reflected on the implications of the findings for economic recovery, institutional performance, and the strengthening of transparency and accountability mechanisms.

The 94-page report, titled One-Year Assessment of the Mahama Administration: The Second Coming, examines the administration’s first-year performance across six thematic areas: Democracy, Governance, Human Rights and the Rule of Law; Anti-Corruption and Accountability; Economy and Jobs; Environment and Social Development; Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; and Defence, Security and Peacebuilding. The assessment situates the government’s first year within the broader “Ghana Reset Agenda,” which pledged economic stabilisation, constitutional reform, improved accountability, and renewed public trust.

Opening the discussion, CDD-Ghana officials reiterated that the assessment was non-partisan and grounded in publicly available evidence, policy actions, and institutional outcomes. They noted that the purpose of the exercise was not to issue verdicts, but to evaluate early reform signals, highlight areas of progress and concern, and generate practical recommendations for the remainder of the administration’s term.

The session on Democracy, Governance, and the Rule of Law reflected on declining public trust indicators inherited at the start of the administration, including Afrobarometer findings showing reduced satisfaction with democracy in recent years. Discussants examined developments such as the use of certificates of urgency in Parliament, ongoing constitutional reform efforts, and the unprecedented removal of the Chief Justice, which followed constitutional procedures but generated intense public debate about institutional independence and transparency.

On Anti-Corruption and Accountability, speakers assessed early actions under the government’s anti-corruption agenda, including Operation Recover All Loots and proposals for strengthening asset declaration regimes, contract transparency, and institutional autonomy for oversight bodies. Participants debated whether these initiatives signaled structural reform or whether durable change would depend on sustained political will and safeguards against selective enforcement.

Economic management and job creation featured prominently in the discussion. Contributors examined the administration’s efforts at macroeconomic stabilisation following the 2022–2024 crisis period, commitments to reduce the cost of governance by capping ministerial appointments, and the challenge of translating fiscal adjustments into tangible relief and employment opportunities for young people.

Sessions on Defence, Security and Peacebuilding, as well as Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, analysed Ghana’s security posture within a volatile West African sub-region marked by coups and Sahelian extremism, and reviewed the government’s diplomatic positioning within ECOWAS and multilateral systems. Speakers emphasised the need to balance security coordination with civil liberties and to strengthen Ghana’s regional leadership through coherent policy engagement.

The roundtable concluded with a call for continued public dialogue and institutional reform. CDD-Ghana indicated that feedback from the event would inform revisions to the report before the publication of a final version on its website. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to conducting first-year governance assessments as part of its broader mandate to promote democratic accountability, informed civic debate, and evidence-based policymaking in Ghana.

Access the report here.

Watch the livestream below.