By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu | Bo City
More than 500 participants from various sectors across the Southern Region have benefited from a one-day National Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deepfake Awareness-Raising Workshop held in Bo City on Thursday, November 5, 2026, as part of national efforts to combat misinformation, disinformation and the growing misuse of digital technology in Sierra Leone.
The workshop, organised by the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) under the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, brought together Paramount Chiefs, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), religious leaders, community stakeholders, school pupils and members of the public.
The initiative forms part of a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating citizens about the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence and deepfake technology, particularly the dangers of creating and circulating fabricated stories, photographs, audio recordings and videos without proper verification.
Addressing participants, DSTI Chief Technical Director, Mr. Ibrahim Rashid Bayoh, disclosed that the initiative is supported by the World Bank and is intended to reach communities across all four regions of Sierra Leone.
He explained that the campaign seeks to strengthen public awareness of fake news circulating on social media, particularly content generated or manipulated using Artificial Intelligence to appear authentic despite being misleading or entirely fabricated.
Mr. Bayoh identified fact-checking as a critical measure in curbing the spread of misinformation and disinformation, urging citizens to verify information before publishing or sharing it.
“Fact-checking is an alternative to preventing the sharing of fake news. Content should be verified before posting to avoid defamation, misinformation and disinformation,” he cautioned.
He further noted that Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the world by influencing communication, employment, education and access to information. While acknowledging its potential to promote innovation, national development and improved service delivery, he warned that its misuse could have serious consequences for individuals, institutions and society.
According to him, the Ministry, through DSTI, is implementing the national awareness campaign in collaboration with the Ministries of Local Government and Community Affairs and Information and Civic Education, alongside the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project.
He said the collaboration demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens understand emerging technologies, their benefits, potential risks and responsible use.
Speaking on behalf of Paramount Chiefs and other traditional authorities, Paramount Chief Fayia Sundifu Brima Sovula IV of Kamajei Chiefdom emphasised the importance of community participation in ensuring the success of the campaign.
PC Sovula noted that the effectiveness of the initiative would largely depend on participants sharing and replicating the knowledge acquired within their respective communities.
He encouraged the organizers to regard participants as ambassadors of the campaign, capable of extending its message to towns, villages, schools, religious institutions and other community gatherings.
“The simple message throughout the campaign remains: pause, question and verify before sharing,” PC Sovula emphasised.
He further maintained that addressing the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and deepfake technology requires a collective approach involving traditional authorities, government institutions, civil society organisations, religious leaders, educational institutions and the general public.
The Paramount Chief warned that the misuse of AI-generated content poses significant threats to national peace, social stability and public confidence.
He explained that technological advancements have made it increasingly easy to manipulate photographs, videos and audio recordings, making fabricated information appear genuine.
He cautioned that circulating such materials without verification could damage individual reputations, create confusion, undermine public confidence in institutions and threaten national peace and social cohesion.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to take the campaign seriously and translate the knowledge acquired into responsible digital behaviour.
Meanwhile, the workshop featured presentations by various stakeholders on Artificial Intelligence, deepfake technology, misinformation, disinformation and responsible digital communication.
Participants also engaged presenters through question-and-answer sessions, while plenary discussions provided an interactive platform for sharing experiences, addressing concerns and deepening their understanding of the subject.
The Bo engagement forms part of a broader national campaign aimed at building a digitally informed and responsible population capable of identifying manipulated information and making informed decisions in an increasingly technology-driven society.
The campaign comes at a time when social media has become a major source of information, communication and public engagement, making digital literacy and responsible information sharing increasingly important in protecting individuals, institutions and national unity.