The Director of Communications at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mr Bernard Otabil, has urged journalists to uphold accuracy and professionalism in their reportage, warning that misinformation and disinformation pose significant threats to national security and the global economy.
Speaking during a two-day media capacity-building workshop at Koforidua in the Eastern Region and organised by the Bank of Ghana for journalists from the Eastern, Ashanti, Central and Volta regions, Mr Otabil stressed the need for responsible journalism in an era where information spreads rapidly.
According to him, false information, once circulated, often continues to shape public opinion even after corrections have been issued.
“We are in an era where information travels very quickly. If you report something that is wrong and people pick up that information, it spreads rapidly. When you later publish a correction or rejoinder, it hardly follows the same path as the original misinformation,” he said.
Mr Otabil explained that many people continue to hold on to inaccurate information as fact, a situation he said could have serious social, political and economic consequences.
He noted that misinformation and disinformation have emerged as major global concerns, citing reports by the World Economic Forum.
“The World Economic Forum’s recent reports have consistently identified misinformation and disinformation as major risks that could affect the global economy in the next two to five years,” he stated.
Mr Otabil further observed that economies and financial markets rely heavily on credible information, stressing that inaccurate reports could mislead investors, distort markets and result in significant financial losses.
“Economies move on information. Markets move on information. If wrong information influences investment decisions, the consequences can be severe, not only for businesses but for entire economies,” he noted.
Beyond economic implications, Mr Otabil warned that misinformation could fuel social and political tensions and, in extreme cases, threaten national security.
He emphasised that media freedom must be exercised with a strong sense of responsibility, adding that journalists and media practitioners are only as effective as their understanding of the sectors they report on.
“A journalist or media practitioner is only as good as the knowledge and understanding of the industry they are reporting on,” he said.
Mr Otabil explained that the workshop, which started on Wednesday, June 17 and ended on Thursday, June 18, 2026 formed part of the central bank’s efforts to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of economic and monetary issues, including the impact of monetary policy decisions on national development.
He pointed out that although inflation figures and economic indicators may appear abstract, the manner in which journalists communicate such information can significantly influence public perception and national outcomes.
According to him, journalists play a critical role in shaping public understanding of economic issues and government policies.
Mr Otabil stressed that statistics alone do not tell the full story, noting that behind every economic figure is a human being.
“Behind every economic statistic is a farmer in Techiman, a manufacturer in Tema, a trader in Kejetia or a start-up owner in Accra. The responsibility of the media is to bring these human stories to life and explain how policy decisions affect ordinary people,” he said.
He added that journalists must help the public understand how changes in the monetary policy rate influence access to credit, the cost of doing business and employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.
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