The Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has cautioned that the proposed Cybersecurity Amendment Bill poses a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic freedoms.
His warning follows concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament, who allege that the government is attempting to criminalise free expression through a draft bill that would make it an offence to post or share “offensive” or “inciteful” comments in online chat groups.
The Minority has linked the proposal to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to trace the IP addresses of individuals accused of spreading hate speech or inciting violence.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah cited the recent arrests of TikTok content creators and NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye) over social media remarks as troubling examples of creeping intolerance.
He argued that rather than criminalising speech, the government could address such concerns through civil remedies.
“Today, it appears it’s being done to NPP members, so people don’t care. But we’re gradually entering dangerous territory. I pray for you if such a law is allowed to pass,” he cautioned.
The Ofoase Ayirebi MP stressed that using criminal sanctions to regulate expression could easily be abused by future administrations, urging Parliament to reconsider the bill to safeguard free speech and democratic principles.
