President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to individuals who engage in spreading false information and hate speech, especially through social media platforms, saying they will face the full rigors of the law.
Speaking during his maiden presidential engagement, held in Accra, on Wednesday evening, Mr. Mahama revealed that the National Signal Bureau (NSB) has acquired advanced tracking technology capable of identifying and locating individuals whose online activities threaten national peace and cohesion.
“We can find you. You, those doing hate speeches and things, we’ll use your IP numbers, we’ll trace you and deal with you under the criminal law for inciting violence,” the President declared emphatically.
Mr. Mahama expressed deep concern about the increasing proliferation of hate speech and misinformation, particularly on platforms like TikTok, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
He noted that the evolution of media has created a new class of content creators who are often untrained individuals that operate without accountability.
“The traditional sense of a journalist trained and working in media houses that have corporate identity and can be held responsible is beginning to change.
“Now, anybody with a phone and a camera can report news or comment on national issues. But the point is, who holds those people responsible?”
Citing recent incendiary statements circulating online related to the ongoing conflict in Bawku, the President said such rhetoric has fuelled tensions and deepened divisions. He emphasised that the NSB will now actively monitor and respond to such threats.
“Some incendiary statements made in the Bawku war are fuelling what is happening there, making people hate each other. This falls within the ambit of the National Signal Bureau,” he said.
In recent times, some TikTokers, James Kwame Baffoe Abronye and Akyenkwaa Nana Kofi Asare have been arrested and arraigned before court for allegedly publishing fake news with intent to cause fear and panic, and offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace.
In a broader outline of his administration’s security plans, President Mahama announced the allocation of GH₵1 billion to retool the country’s security agencies as part of efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities.
It is, however, unclear whether this funding will be sufficient to effectively retool the various security agencies, particularly the Ghana Prisons Service, which continues to struggle with inadequate resources, including a lack of fit-for-purpose vehicles for transporting inmates and accused persons to and from the courts.
On the energy front, the President disclosed that the Ministry of Energy has granted a declaration of commerciality for the Eban Akuma oil and gas discoveries in Cape Three Points’ Block 4, confirming their commercial viability.
The approval clears the way for the joint venture partners – E&I Vitor, Woodfields and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to proceed with the full development of the oil field.
President Mahama’s address covered a broad spectrum of national issues, including economic recovery, education reforms, environmental protection and youth development in sports. However, the President’s most forceful statements were reserved for the challenges posed by the unregulated digital media space.
“We must start making regulation for this new media because it’s unregulated. Everybody takes a phone and says anything,” he added.
The President’s remarks are expected to ignite a national conversation around media accountability, digital rights and the balance between freedom of expression and national security.
