Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has cautioned young people against the spread of misinformation and prejudice online, saying digital platforms could amplify such content across borders within seconds.
She said although technology had created new ways for young people to connect, share knowledge and access opportunities, its misuse could have consequences for peaceful coexistence.
The Vice President made the remarks at the 2026 West Africa Youth Days in Accra, organised by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference in collaboration with the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa.
The gathering brings together Catholic youth from across West Africa to strengthen fellowship, build relationships across borders and reflect on their role in promoting peace and hope in the region.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said young people were increasingly active in digital spaces where information, anger, prejudice and falsehood could travel rapidly across national boundaries.
“Young people now inhabit spaces where information, where anger, prejudice, and falsehood come across borders in seconds,” she said.
She said the same technology could, however, be used to connect communities, spread knowledge and create opportunities for young people.
The Vice President urged the youth to be mindful of the information they shared and how they handled disagreements online, stressing that their choices could contribute to building peaceful societies.
She said the responsibility of building peaceful and cohesive communities extended beyond government to the Church, civil society, families and young people themselves.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang encouraged the participants to build friendships across borders and develop a better understanding of other people and cultures as part of efforts to strengthen West African integration.
