President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene a national stakeholder engagement on the growing incidence of hate speech, abusive language and other harmful content on social media and emerging digital platforms.
The directive is contained in a letter dated September 22, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, Ph.D., on behalf of President Mahama.
The proposed engagement is intended to bring together key stakeholders to develop a coherent national approach to dealing with harmful digital content while protecting freedom of expression and legitimate public discourse.
According to the Presidency, Ghana’s media environment has changed significantly, with public discourse increasingly shaped by social media platforms, including TikTok, and a growing number of content creators, bloggers and influencers.
It noted that many of these actors command substantial audiences and exert considerable influence over public opinion but are not necessarily subject to recognised editorial standards or clearly defined accountability mechanisms.
The Presidency described the development as a difficult but important public-policy challenge that requires a balanced national response.
It stressed that hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct must be addressed, but cautioned against measures that could criminalise legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent.
President Mahama, the letter said, was particularly concerned about what he described as disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary.
According to the Presidency, such arrests could be counterproductive by creating what it termed “undeserving martyrs” and potentially undermining public confidence in state institutions.
The proposed stakeholder engagement will therefore seek to establish a national roadmap capable of protecting freedom of expression while ensuring an appropriate and proportionate response to genuinely harmful digital content.
The MFWA and GJA have been asked to lead a broad and inclusive consultation involving key state and non-state actors.
The stakeholders are expected to include the National Media Commission, the Ghana Police Service, relevant religious bodies, civil society organisations, relevant state regulatory and security institutions, social media content creators, bloggers and influencers.
Legal and human-rights experts are also expected to participate, alongside representatives of digital platforms where possible.
The Presidency believes that bringing these groups together will help ensure that any proposed framework reflects the realities of Ghana’s rapidly changing digital and media environment.
The engagement is expected to examine whether Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework is adequate to address harmful online content.
A key issue for discussion will be the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.
The process is also expected to propose practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies to help determine appropriate responses to different forms of online communication.
The Presidency wants recommendations on policy, legislation, regulation and non-legislative measures that could improve Ghana’s response to harmful digital content.
The proposed discussions are also expected to explore measures beyond arrest and prosecution, particularly in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
Beyond law enforcement, the Presidency wants the engagement to consider public education and media and digital literacy as part of the national response.
The process is expected to examine professional and ethical standards for online content creators, as well as accessible complaints and redress mechanisms for individuals who believe they have been subjected to harmful or abusive digital content.
The emphasis on complaints and redress mechanisms is intended to provide avenues for addressing problematic online conduct without automatically resorting to criminal enforcement in cases that fall outside clearly defined criminal behaviour.
The engagement is also expected to consider how digital platforms, content creators and other influential actors can contribute to more responsible online communication.
The MFWA and GJA have been requested to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement to the President.
They are also expected to present recommendations arising from the consultation for the President’s consideration.
The initiative comes amid growing public debate in Ghana over the use of social media and other digital platforms for political commentary, criticism, satire and the dissemination of information.
The Presidency’s position, as outlined in the letter, is that the national response should distinguish between legitimate expression and genuinely harmful or criminal online conduct.
It is therefore seeking a framework that can address hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful content while safeguarding lawful criticism, dissent and political expression.
The proposed national stakeholder engagement is expected to provide a platform for government institutions, media organisations, civil society, legal experts, content creators and digital platforms to collectively examine the challenges and develop recommendations for a more consistent approach to responsible digital communication in Ghana.
By 1960news.com
