Ghanaians condemn country's 'misrepresentation' by American television

Ghanaians on Twitter have condemned a report by American television network Cable News Network (CNN) on the recently held elections, claiming Ghanaians were struggling to obtain food and services.

The article was first published on CNN website on Saturday and written by CNN reporters in Lagos and Atlanta with the headline – Ghana election: Incumbent concedes to Nana Akufo-Addo.

The main area of contention in the article, among others, was a paragraph that said Ghanaians (which was misspelled) were struggling to obtain food and services.

“Oil reserves were discovered off the coast of Ghana in 2007, but Ghanians (sic) struggle to obtain food and day-to-day services. Rolling blackouts are common and citizens often stand in long line to obtain products,” it said.

A cross section of Ghanaians including media personalities on Sunday morning began tweeting their displeasure with a screenshot of the paragraph in question and hashtag #CNNGetItRight.

A Ghanaian sports journalist, Gary Al-Smith, started the hashtag which is now the top trend in the West African country as hundreds of Ghanaians condemn the misrepresentation.

“Also, @CNN, Ghana and Venezuela are not twins. In fact, Ghana are North Korea are not even close. Lazy armchair reporting. #CNNGetItRight,” Al-Smith tweeted after he advised: “At least, spellchecker on the PC of whoever wrote this should have pointed out the word ‘Ghanaians’ and NOT ‘Ghanians’. #CNNGetItRight.”

The original article was later updated at 1255 GMT with the correct spelling of Ghanaians.

The entire paragraph was deleted at 1501 GMT with an Editor’s Note acknowledging the mistakes.

“An earlier version of this article incorrectly described the status of the retail economy in Ghana. Stores are generally well stocked, and food shortages are rare. The earlier version also erroneously said Nana Akufo-Addo ran for president in 1998. Ghana did not have presidential elections in 1998,” the note stated.

Now the entire paragraph has been deleted and mistake corrected. Read the Editor's note indicating the change. #Ghana wins #CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/kvc8xoukMX

— Ismail Akwei (@akweiakwei) December 11, 2016

Uhm CNN, I didn't know Ghanaians "stand in long lines to obtain products" or "struggle to obtain food". And I live there. #CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/tpyosBIrJJ

— Gary Al-Smith (garyalsmith) December 11, 2016

At least, spellchecker on the PC of whoever wrote this should have pointed out the word 'Ghanaians' and NOT 'Ghanians'. #CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/C4c0m8wDRB

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) December 11, 2016

My Ghana people. Shall we do something let CNN know we are tired of their lazy reportage of our election? Tweet them with #CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/A4E7GY0fp3

— Gary Al-Smith (garyalsmith) December 11, 2016

pls where in 1998 did nana addo run for president. so many factual inaccuracies. CNNPolitics #CNNGetItRight https://t.co/rLUyeqWMOA

— Shamima Muslim (shamimamuslim) December 11, 2016

That moment when cnn confuses people in line to vote with people in queues to get food and products (aid) #CNNGetItRight

— Ameyaw Debrah (ameyaw112) December 11, 2016

Ghana Twitter makes me proud of our future most times … If you're gonna represent us, represent us right or not at all … #CNNGetItRight

— Ko-Jo Cue (@KOJO_Cue) December 11, 2016

Er… Good Morning CNN. Your journalist is either incompetent or racist. I see no third option. Either way, fire them! #CNNGetItRight https://t.co/jZuZyQTm3N

— Kojo Yankson (@THEKojoYankson) December 11, 2016

#CNNGetItRight
They are disappointed our elections were so smooth that they had nothing sensationally damaging to report. Naniama people

— WK DZIEWORNU-NORVOR (@LarryJohnsonGH) December 11, 2016

That moment when CNN messes with Ghanaians. At least we won't have to beg for data to tell #CNNGetItRight

— Rukaya Sukah (@RukayaSukah) December 11, 2016

Dear CNN , queuing to go buy waakye no mean say we are poor ooo..it is the love we have for the waakye brand#CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/iFlC97bbbd

— Kwadwo Sheldon (amoaphoGh) December 11, 2016

Your country protests elections results and organise demonstrations. We go to church and jam with our opponent's song #CNNGetItRight

— ibn Rashad (@mi_rashad) December 11, 2016

CNN, Ghanaians are not struggling to obtain food. We are not standing in long lines to obtain products. I know. I live here#CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/iEmdLYnpnI

— Kafui Dey (KafuiDey) December 11, 2016

CNN: we shd write abt Gh's successful elections
Also CNN: ppl won't read it. Add “struggle to obtain food” ppl like that sh!t#CNNGetItRight pic.twitter.com/0L8t9XNoI0

— Efo #GhanaDecides (@Amegaxi) December 11, 2016

Such a lazy coverage of a fantastic story by CNN. No nuance, just the usual template "Africans are suffering."#CNNGetItRight

— Nana Ama Agyemang (JustNanaAma) December 11, 2016

I can't recognise my country from the 2nd paragraph #CNNgetItRight pic.twitter.com/tCXeyTMx2n

— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) December 11, 2016

#CNNGetItRight we are fed up with your careless way of reporting about news concerning Africa…it seems stupidity is your norm…

— KING FAHD (@nii_amah) December 11, 2016

Sadly a Nigerian reported this crap “CNN's Stephanie Busari reported from Lagos, Nigeria.Ralph Ellis wrote and reported from Atlanta”

— TONYI SENAYAH (@TonyiSenayah) December 11, 2016