The Minority in Parliament has accused the Mahama administration of attempting to “criminalise free speech and silence dissent” through proposed amendments to Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, describing the move as a major threat to democracy and media freedom.
According to opposition lawmakers, the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, which reportedly seeks to penalise “offensive or incisive comments” made in online chat groups, represents a dangerous shift away from Ghana’s long-standing commitment to free expression and open political debate.
The heated debate stems from President John Dramani Mahama’s declaration of a nationwide crackdown on hate speech and online incitement.
During his first major media encounter, President Mahama warned that individuals using digital platforms to promote divisive or violent rhetoric would face prosecution.
“We can find you. Those doing hate speech, we will use your IP number to trace you and deal with you under the criminal code,” the President said at the time.
Following this announcement, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, led by Sam George, confirmed that a National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill was being drafted.
The bill, according to the Ministry, seeks to combat the “deliberate spread of harmful or false digital content.”
Defending the initiative, the Minister insisted it was a national security measure, not an attempt at censorship.
“Where your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins,” he argued.
The Minority, however, believes the proposed Cybersecurity amendment is part of a broader plan to stifle political opposition and independent journalism.
Former Information Minister and MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, described the draft legislation as “dangerous and unnecessary,” warning it could undo decades of progress in protecting media freedom.
“What we are seeing appears to be a draft that they want to consult on. From what I’ve seen as a former Information Minister, this draft is dangerous, though not surprising,” Oppong Nkrumah said.
He added: “The President himself announced that he would use the national security apparatus to go after people who make comments on social media that he considers unfavourable. It’s not surprising that his minister is now following up with a draft bill containing such wild provisions.”
He reminded the government of Ghana’s democratic reforms, particularly the 2001 repeal of the Criminal Libel and Sedition Law under the Kufuor administration — a milestone that decriminalised defamation and bolstered press freedom.
Instead of repealing the few outdated laws that still criminalise speech — such as the publication of false news — the government now wants to create new offences for what it calls ‘offensive comments’ in chat groups. This is a dangerous encroachment on free speech,” he emphasised.
The Minority’s criticism intensified following the arrest of Kwame Baffoe (Abronye), the NPP’s Bono Regional Chairman, who was charged with publishing false news and offensive conduct likely to breach the peace.
The NPP leadership accused the Mahama government of weaponising law enforcement to suppress dissent and intimidate critics.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party condemned what it called “a return to the dark days before the repeal of the criminal libel law.”
“It is worrying that the Mahama government is using the police to erode democratic gains and silence critical voices. Criminalising speech has no place in a democracy,” the statement read.
Despite widespread backlash, government spokespersons insist the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill aims to protect the digital space from hate speech, fake news, and extremist content that could fuel violence, particularly during election periods.
Officials argue that free speech must be balanced with public safety — especially after recent violent clashes in the Savannah Region, which left over 30 people dead and displaced thousands.
However, civil society groups, journalists, and opposition MPs remain unconvinced, warning that vague definitions of “offensive” or “inciteful” speech could be exploited to target political opponents.
Summing up the Minority’s position, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said: “The government must tread cautiously. Instead of introducing new laws to criminalise speech, it should rather focus on repealing the few remnants that still threaten free expression.”
