UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Prosper Adaakai
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, Abubakari Ayariga Wintit, has expressed the government’s commitment to addressing hate speech, abusive content and other harmful activities on social media while promoting responsible digital communication
Speaking on the Sunrise Morning Show on GBC URA Radio in Bolgatanga, Mr. Ayariga Wintit said government believes users of social media, including operators of anonymous accounts, should be held accountable where their activities cross the boundaries of lawful expression and constitute threats, incitement or other unlawful conduct
His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s call for a national stakeholder dialogue on the regulation of TikTok and other emerging digital platforms
President Mahama has asked the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to convene a broad stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content and responsible digital communication
The Presidency has said the proposed engagement should find a balance between addressing harmful online content and protecting freedom of expression, including legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent
Mr. Ayariga Wintit’s comments come amid concerns about the use of anonymous social-media accounts to disseminate abusive or potentially harmful content
President Mahama, speaking at a town-hall meeting with Ghanaians in New York, said anonymous accounts that publish offensive material presented a challenge that required a national discussion on how new media should be regulated. He nevertheless questioned whether arrest should be the appropriate response to every instance of online criticism
The debate has also followed a series of arrests involving social-media users under laws including Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775)
The MFWA reported in May 2026 that it had documented 14 arrests within the first 16 months of the Mahama administration linked to the application of those provisions, involving presenters, journalists, TikTokers, bloggers, political activists and other citizens
The organisation has criticised what it considers disproportionate application of the laws while also acknowledging the legitimate need to address threats, incitement and harmful disinformation
Against this background, the proposed stakeholder dialogue is expected to examine existing laws and regulatory arrangements, clarify the distinction between lawful expression and unlawful online conduct, and consider appropriate responses to harmful digital content
The process is also expected to involve the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, content creators, bloggers, influencers, legal and human-rights experts and other relevant institutions
Source – gbcuraonline.com
