The government is being urged to prioritise inclusive stakeholder engagement and robust protections for fundamental rights as it prepares to enact legislation addressing misinformation and disinformation.
This statement was originally published on mfwa.org on 10 April 2025.
The government of Ghana has announced plans to introduce a legislative proposal to Parliament aimed at addressing the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.
Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, made this known at a press conference on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. He stated that the proposed Bill will be submitted during the next parliamentary session.
The legislation is expected to establish a comprehensive legal framework to guide enforcement efforts and ensure accountability for the deliberate spread of misinformation. The Minister described the initiative as being rooted in “a spirit of full transparency,” with the aim of safeguarding the public sphere and upholding the integrity of information dissemination.
“We have a collective civic duty to be mindful in our communication,” the Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament said, stressing the need for a united approach to tackling the issue.
The Minister also issued a stern warning to individuals involved in spreading misinformation, stating, “Notice is served – once the law is passed, we will clamp down on you if you are engaged in mis and disinformation.”
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) welcomes the government’s intended efforts at combating mis/disinformation. We, however, call on the Minister to ensure transparency and meaningful stakeholder engagements throughout the process.
Government must also ensure that the proposed Bill protects and respects constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms, especially, the right to expression, opinion, information, privacy and assembly. The proposed Bill must also align with the provisions of the international treaties and covenants Ghana has signed on to, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
