By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Aug. 26, GNA – FactSpace West Africa has partnered with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to train its journalists in fact-checking and addressing information disorder.
The two-day training, held in Accra, aims to equip editorial staff with advanced fact-checking tools and deepen awareness of the dangers misinformation and disinformation pose to journalism and public trust.
“This training is not just about sharpening our skills, but deepening our commitment to truth and accuracy, which has always been the foundation of credible journalism,” said Madam Beatrice Akua Nyarkoa Asamani-Savage, Director of Editorial at GNA.
She noted that in an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, the journalist’s ability to verify and present accurate information was critical to safeguarding personal reputations, organisational credibility and public trust.
“For us in a news agency, our responsibility is even greater. Our stories are often the primary source for other media outlets, meaning any error we make can multiply across the entire information chain,” she said.
Madam Asamani-Savage urged participants to be vigilant with news leads, particularly from social media and other unverified sources.
“The urge to be first must not outweigh the responsibility to be accurate.
“The training is, therefore, a chance to seek deeper knowledge, refine our skills and stay humble before the truth. Let’s embrace this opportunity with passion and commitment,” she said.
As Ghana’s leading state-owned news organisation, GNA plays a critical role in shaping national discourse and delivering accurate and reliable information to citizens.
However, the growing presence of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation threatens trust in journalism, democratic governance and social cohesion.
FactSpace West Africa, a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles, was established in 2019 and has extensive experience training journalists and media professionals across West Africa in fact-checking and digital verification.
The organisation has collaborated with partners such as MTN Ghana, Askanwi Media in The Gambia, and fact-checking networks in Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, to strengthen media resilience against information disorder.
On the first day of the training, journalists and editors were taken through the fundamentals of fact-checking, with a focus on identifying false and misleading information.
They also explored practical verification tools such as Google Lens, Yandex, TinEye, Wayback Machine, Ghost Archive, Webpage Archive and InVID.
Miss Agnes Ansah, a Chief Reporter at GNA, remarked: “I’m glad I attended because I learnt how to identify fake news using simple tools. Earlier, I thought it was a cumbersome thing to do but with the tools it was simple.”
Mr. James Amoh Junior, Social Media Lead and Chief Reporter at GNA, said the training had been a valuable learning experience.
“In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly across digital platforms, the ability to verify images, videos and claims before publishing is essential.
“The training will enhance my understanding of advanced verification tools necessary as a news agency journalist,” he stated.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey