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I Almost Shut Sown Ghana’s Internet Over Horrific Helicopter Crash Videos – Sam George
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Sam Nartey George has disclosed that he nearly ordered a nationwide internet blackout to curb the spread of disturbing videos following the August 6 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr George described the moments after the tragedy as “a mixed experience”, commending the rapid cooperation of telecom operators in responding to the crisis.
“When it comes to the coverage of the tragedy, I’d say that it’s been a mixed part for me, and let me say a very big thank you to the telecom companies – MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo,” he noted.
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According to the minister, his concern intensified when graphic videos from the crash site began circulating widely, particularly on WhatsApp—a platform he stressed is “not controlled by any country” but by a private company.
Sam George revealed that he was faced with two stark choices:
- Shut down the internet nationwide to halt the spread of the videos, especially since the families of victims had not yet been officially informed.
- Keep connectivity intact but seek alternative ways to limit the circulation of the content.
“I was worried about the mental health of the victims’ children, spouses, and relatives. Such a tragedy needs to be broken in a certain way,” he said.
Although the first option would have temporarily stemmed the spread, he warned it also carried serious drawbacks.
“Many people get their news through streaming. A shutdown could have had a ripple effect that might be worse than what we were trying to fix,” he explained.
Instead of pulling the plug, Mr George opted for a swift, multi-pronged approach. He reached out to Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, activating a point of contact and personally calling senior executives to request urgent action.
Simultaneously, he engaged the National Communications Authority (NCA) and telecom CEOs to coordinate a massive public restraint campaign.
“We sent out about 30 million text messages in just two hours, and the telecom companies bore the cost entirely,” he revealed.
These messages, sent nationwide, urged the public to refrain from sharing the graphic content out of respect for victims and their families.
Sam George concluded by stressing that the collaboration between government, regulators, and telecom operators was critical in preventing further emotional harm during Ghana’s period of mourning.
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