The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression even as it prepares to introduce a bill aimed at curbing the deliberate spread of misinformation and disinformation online.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Thursday, Mr George disclosed that the much-anticipated National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is nearing completion and is expected to be laid before Parliament in its upcoming session.
“To protect the integrity of Ghana’s digital information ecosystem, the ministry is making steady progress on bringing the National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill to Parliament,” the minister announced.
According to the minister, the legislation is part of a broader effort by the ministry to safeguard Ghana’s digital ecosystem from the increasing threat posed by the spread of false, harmful, or manipulated content online.
He emphasised that the law will not be used to stifle public opinion or dissent but instead aims to create legal clarity and institutional capacity for addressing cases of deliberate digital falsehoods.
“The bill is designed to create a clear legal framework for enforcement, enabling statutory bodies to act decisively while upholding freedom of expression. It will not clamp down on free speech, which will be respected. However, when your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins,” he stated.
Mr George stressed that the proposed bill aligns with Ghana’s democratic values and constitutional provisions on free expression and media freedom. He assured the public that the legislation would not empower the government to arbitrarily silence critics, bloggers, journalists, or political opponents.
“Our goal is not to police thought or opinion but to ensure that digital platforms are not weaponised to spread deliberate lies, particularly during elections, public health crises, or national emergencies,” he said.
He explained that the legal framework would distinguish between intentional misinformation and good-faith errors, with clear safeguards to prevent abuse by authorities.
The minister also described the bill as a proactive national security tool, especially important during periods of heightened public sensitivity such as elections, pandemics, or civil unrest.
Mr George noted that the law would empower statutory agencies, including the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Cyber Security Authority, to take timely action against individuals or entities that knowingly disseminate harmful misinformation.
He further explained that the law will be accompanied by an extensive public education campaign and digital literacy initiatives to help citizens identify fake news and critically evaluate online information.
“We are not just regulating—we are educating. Ghana must remain a digitally smart democracy, where citizens enjoy their rights and also take responsibility for what they share,” he added.
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