The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, has underscored the critical role of queen mothers in combating misinformation and disinformation within communities.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at a conference organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in collaboration with the National Queen Mothers’ Platform in Ho, the Minister highlighted the influence of traditional leaders in shaping public understanding and promoting truth in an era of widespread fake news.
Hon. Gunu noted that queen mothers remain trusted voices at the grassroots level and are uniquely positioned to serve as gatekeepers of accurate information, particularly on issues relating to health, conflict resolution, and community development.
He urged participants to take an active role in correcting false narratives and educating their communities, stressing that misinformation poses a threat not only to social cohesion but also to democratic governance.
The Minister further indicated that government’s decision to merge Local Government with Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs demonstrates President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to recognising traditional authorities as key partners in national development.
According to him, strengthening collaboration between state institutions and traditional leadership will enhance community engagement and ensure that development policies are better understood and supported at the local level.
Hon. Gunu assured the queen mothers of his office’s readiness to support their efforts in promoting truth and fostering informed public discourse across the region.
The conference brought together traditional leaders, governance stakeholders, and development partners to deliberate on strategies to address misinformation and reinforce the role of customary institutions in safeguarding Ghana’s democratic values.