By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – Scientists have called for stronger public education, community engagement and science journalism to combat health misinformation and strengthen public trust in scientific research.
The call was made at a science lecture organised by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Office in Ghana on the theme: “Fact or Fiction? Health, Science and Misinformation in a Digital World.”
Professor Maren Addo, Director of the Institute of Infection Research and Vaccine Development at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, said misinformation on social media and attacks on researchers were undermining public confidence in science.
She said social media algorithms often amplified sensational content designed to attract attention, while artificial intelligence had increased the speed at which false information could be generated and disseminated.
Prof. Addo said scientists must communicate research findings clearly, explain uncertainties and acknowledge that scientific knowledge evolved as new evidence emerged.
“We have to communicate also what we don’t know,” she said.
Prof. Addo urged scientists to build stronger relationships with communities, work with trusted local voices and promote science literacy from an early age.
She also called for stronger independent science journalism, greater transparency from digital platforms and proactive measures to prevent misinformation from spreading.
Prof. Lydia Mosi, Associate Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Ghana, said health misinformation could influence treatment choices, undermine vaccination efforts and deepen stigma associated with diseases.
She cited misconceptions that all fevers were caused by malaria, antibiotics could treat common colds and tuberculosis was linked to witchcraft.
Prof. Mosi said research institutions must engage communities, understand the basis of local beliefs and involve the public in shaping research and communicating findings.
She said studies by the University of Ghana had identified dengue infections among patients presenting with fever, detected drug-resistant tuberculosis and investigated genetic causes of hearing impairment.
The research, she said, had helped challenge misconceptions about diseases and improve public understanding.
Prof. Mosi highlighted community engagement initiatives, including a docu-drama translated into more than 50 Ghanaian languages to explain the genetic causes of deafness and address associated stigma.
Ms Lena Leumer, Director of the DAAD Office in Ghana, said the lecture sought to promote dialogue on the sources of health misinformation and ways governments, scientists and the public could respond.
She said the event was the first of its kind organised by the office in Ghana and similar engagements could be held in future.
The DAAD supports international academic exchange through scholarships, research funding, university partnerships and programmes that promote higher education and scientific collaboration.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Edward Acquah