President John Dramani Mahama told world leaders at the 80th United Nations General Assembly that the unchecked growth of the internet and social media is deepening global instability, warning that algorithms and artificial intelligence are fueling disinformation and polarization.
Mahama said digital platforms offer the illusion of connectivity but in reality “reinforce isolation by using algorithms that ensure that we do not receive new ideas and perspectives, but rather more of the same content.” He cautioned that this trend has made it easier to spread manipulated images and “alternative facts,” with dangerous consequences for global peace and cohesion.
The president linked these dynamics to broader concerns about artificial intelligence, social media platforms, and the dark web, describing them as new threats to international security. “We accept alternative facts and manipulated images, making it easy to disseminate disinformation and sow seeds of division amongst communities. Madam President, these are dangerous times,” he said.
African nations, including Ghana, have been pushing to expand digital inclusion while confronting challenges of cyber fraud, online abuse, and weak data governance. Mahama’s comments align with ongoing efforts by the Cyber Security Authority and Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations to help promote safe digital spaces for businesses and socialisation. His remarks suggest the government may pursue stricter oversight of technology platforms as it deepens its digital transformation agenda. On the issue of cyber threats and scam, President Mahama’s official X account was hacked in March 2025, which was used to promote a cryptocurrency called “Solana Africa.”
The comments also point to balancing the opportunities of digital innovation with its destabilizing risks. For Ghana, a country positioning itself as a regional technology hub, Mahama’s call for more responsible digital ecosystems underscores both regulatory pressures for global tech firms and new opportunities for local startups in cybersecurity, fact-checking, and AI governance.
