President John Dramani Mahama has called on world leaders, global institutions, and civil society to make deliberate and sustained investments in independent journalism, stressing that the survival of democracy depends on the integrity of information.
Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum in France, the Ghanaian leader described independent journalism as “a public good, not a luxury” and urged the world to treat truth with the same seriousness as investments in infrastructure and defense.
Delivering his address before an audience that included the Presidents of France, Moldova, Albania, and Armenia, alongside representatives of civil society and international media organizations, President Mahama warned that disinformation, manipulation, and technological disruption were threatening “the very foundations of democracy itself.”
He commended the Forum for creating space for open dialogue on what he described as “one of the defining challenges of our time — how to defend truth and sustain trust.”
He lauded the organizers — the International Fund for Public Interest Media, the Forum on Information and Democracy, and the French government — for their leadership in convening the event.
“Throughout these sessions, we’ve been reminded that information integrity is not merely a media concern. It is a matter of national security, economic stability, and democratic survival.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The conference, which focused on protecting information integrity and strengthening independent media worldwide, produced significant outcomes, including the endorsement of the Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media.
The declaration, according to President Mahama, reaffirmed a global commitment to “free, independent, and pluralistic information ecosystems.”
Another major outcome was the renewal of financial commitments to replenish the International Fund for Public Interest Media, with a target of €130 million between 2026 and 2028 to support independent journalism globally.
A new Consultative Committee was also established to enhance coordination among states, civil society, and the Forum on Information and Democracy.
President Mahama announced Ghana’s decision to assume full membership of the Partnership for Information and Democracy, describing it as a reaffirmation of Ghana’s deep commitment to transparency, accountability, and open governance.
“Our landmark decision sends a clear message to the international community that Ghana remains steadfast in advancing the frontiers of freedom, upholding the rule of law, and serving as a nation that promotes democracy and good governance”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Financial Commitment to Global Fund
In a symbolic move, the President further revealed that Ghana will become the first African country to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media. “This gesture reflects our conviction that independent journalism and reliable information are indispensable public goods,” he explained.
He stressed that the fight against misinformation and disinformation must now be elevated to a global priority. “Disinformation is not an abstract issue,” President Mahama warned.
“It shapes elections, distorts public health responses, fuels conflicts, and undermines the fight against climate change.” He pointed out that even a decade after the Paris Accord, falsehoods continue to erode public confidence in science and policy.
The President also highlighted the complex challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) to information integrity. While acknowledging AI’s potential to advance innovation and development, he cautioned that it also “amplifies the risk of misinformation and economic disruption.”
He cited examples of deepfakes, synthetic media, and algorithmic manipulation as emerging tools that distort reality and endanger democratic discourse.
“Our collective task must therefore be to harness AI responsibly, to promote transparency, and to ensure that technological progress strengthens rather than undermines public trust.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He called for international cooperation to demand ethical responsibility from digital and AI platforms, and to ensure that technology serves the cause of truth rather than subverting it.
President Mahama reminded the gathering that societies flourish when journalists are free to hold power accountable. “When journalists can hold their governments accountable, societies flourish. When truth is defended, peace is preserved. And when citizens can access reliable information, democracy endures,” he said, drawing resounding applause.
He emphasized that the global community must now translate shared ideals into concrete action. “The world must invest in truth as deliberately as it invests in infrastructure, in energy, or in defense,” he said, adding that “the cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of those commitments.”
Closing his speech, President Mahama invoked the words of Nelson Mandela: “A critical, independent, and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.” He said that conviction must guide the world in implementing the outcomes of the Paris Peace Forum.
“Let us leave Paris with the renewed determination to support journalists and institutions that stand for integrity and accountability to demand transparency and ethical responsibility from digital and AI platforms, and strengthen international cooperation to protect information as a shared global asset.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama’s speech has since been hailed by many international observers as a bold affirmation of Ghana’s longstanding reputation for press freedom and its growing role in global democratic advocacy.
As the world grapples with the consequences of digital manipulation and collapsing trust in institutions, his call to “invest in truth” has struck a timely chord.
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