Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has warned against the increasingly negative influence of misinformation and disinformation on national development, especially as the nation heads towards Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December.

He called on all stakeholders, including the Military and other security agencies, to be alert and vigilant to avoid falling for fake and misleading material that could lead to unnecessary actions.

Speaking at the Joint Graduation Ceremony of the Ghana Armed Forces Command And Staff College Course 45 and the Master Of Science In Defence And International Politics in Accra, Dr. Bawumia praised the Ghana Armed Forces for their role in ensuring Ghana’s democracy is the model for the subregion, and charged them to zealously protect this hard-won reputation.

“In the Fourth Republic, governments have always depended on your professionalism, discipline and resolve to discharge your duties without fear or favour. However, we find ourselves in an era of intense misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeted at both the civil populace, you the Armed Forces and the government.

“We must understand that these acts do not only have the potential to throw the Country into a state of anarchy but also impact on the wider security of the West African Region. I encourage you particularly after being given a detailed insight into the democratic control of the military, to dwell on the teachings to conduct yourselves professionally. It is imperative to ensure that stability and the tenets of democracy are upheld always,” he stated.

Citing the ever evolving nature of warfare and conflict, especially in the West Africa subregion Vice President Bawumia, who is also Chairman of the Police Council, commended the Control Board, the Military High Command, and the Management of the College for introducing courses at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College which reflect the changing times.

“As we know, the world has been experiencing a continuous shift in global power dynamics and security over the years. It is clearly far less predictable today than it was decades ago… In this regard, it is evident that the scope of warfare and security threats have equally changed and will continue to evolve from the traditional means and medium to a more complex structure.

“The tactics of these actors such as violent extremist groups have changed from invasions in large groups to surgical strikes targeting key national infrastructure using cheap modified first person view kamikaze drones that are highly lethal aside other equally fatal approaches,” he said.

“Similarly, misinformation and disinformation activities have equally become the order of the day, generating support for them and disaffection towards the established central government. It is in this regard that the introduction of the Multi-Domain Operations module in the College curriculum is not only timely but pivotal in inculcating in the graduands critically needed exposure to contemporary soldiering and arming them with the much-needed knowledge in developing counter measures and providing the keystone training concepts needed in combating such threats,” the Vice President continued.

The Vice President urged the graduates, drawn from 17 countries including Ghana, to harness the insights gained during the course and the relationships forged with colleagues from different parts of the continent to work collaboratively to protect the peace and security of Africa and the world.