In many West African countries, authoritarian regimes or military dictators are in power, whereas Ghana has been considered a stable anchor of democracy for many years.

 The constitution established in 1992 by the then ruler and later twice-elected president Jerry Rawlings guarantees the freedom and independence of the media, prohibits censorship and abolishes state licences for the operation of mass media. Today, there are more than 500 commercial radio stations and over 100 television stations as well as an extensive print media landscape. In 2018, the organisation "Reporters Without Borders" (RSF = French: reporters sans frontierès) ranked the country first for press freedom in Africa and 23rd on the global list, ahead of the USA and the UK.

Unfortunately, however, according to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the situation has steadily deteriorated.

Journalists fear for their own safety and freedom. There is a long list of problems: some journalist are physically attacked, receive warnings and threats, often via WhatsApp messages. Others are obstructed or even detained by the police. Ghana has now slipped to 50th place on the RSF list.

The investigative medium "Ghana Business News" is of the opinion that press freedom in Ghana is "just a façade". Ghanaian politicians are "increasingly corrupt and corrupt politicians don't like critical journalism", according to the portal.

In addition to physical attacks, intimidation and imprisonment, disinformation is on the rise. Around 70% of the population now have access to social media, which enables them to inform themselves or express themselves on topics that are important to them, but studies show that social media has also become a platform for misinformation and disinformation in Ghana.

According to media scholar Eliasu Mumuni from the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana, "disinformation campaigns undermine public trust in journalism, eroding the credibility of the press and weakening its ability to hold the powerful to account".

Especially in conflict-prone areas in northern Ghana, fake news is used to escalate conflicts. In neighbouring countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau, it has been the key to toppling governments. There are growing fears that disinformation could have a decisive influence on Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections in December.

Many West African governments have passed repressive laws on the grounds that they can take action against such disinformation, which, according to non-governmental organisations and professional associations such as the GJA, are being used to silence critics. Several journalists are currently imprisoned in West Africa due to such cyber laws and laws to combat disinformation. According to the critics, these laws have become the "most important instruments of governments" to "silence critical journalists". This prevents "responsible journalism".