The New Ghana Social Justice Forum, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has launched a citizen-driven hotline initiative aimed at combating misinformation and fostering unity between Ghanaians and Nigerians.
The campaign, themed “Report Suspect, Don’t Spread Misinformation,” provides the public with dedicated hotlines — 0546665951, 0205992224, and 0302773906 — to report suspected criminal activity for swift police response.
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At the launch in Accra, Mr. Yahaya Alhassan, President of the Forum, stressed that misinformation had endangered innocent Nigerians living in Ghana and called for collective responsibility in curbing the trend.
“Instead of spreading misinformation, we urge everyone to use these hotlines to report suspects directly. This approach protects innocent lives and ensures justice is served through the proper channels,” Mr. Alhassan said.
He warned that false narratives could strain the long-standing relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, which he described as rooted in shared history, intermarriage, and economic cooperation.
One such victim of false claims, Mr. Tahiru Atanda, was recently assaulted after being wrongly accused of kidnapping, before police officers from Kotobaabi intervened. His case, organisers said, highlights the dangers of unchecked misinformation.
Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan, Chief Executive Officer of the Excellence Awards, also called on both Ghanaians and Nigerians to embrace one another as true and trusted brothers and sisters.
The Forum said the hotline would not only safeguard Nigerian residents in Ghana but also protect Ghanaian women traders in Nigeria who sell local delicacies such as Aweasu, Banchi Akrakuro, Toobwee, Banfu-Bese (Kwirikwiri), Atwomo, Poolo, and Kube Toffee.
“The safety and dignity of both communities must be preserved. Ghanaians have the right to report Nigerians suspected of crimes, just as Nigerians can report offences committed against them by Ghanaians. This is about fairness, justice, and unity,” Mr. Alhassan emphasised.
The hotline numbers have since been circulated widely, with authorities urging the public to prioritise vigilance and verification over rumour-mongering.