By: Jennifer Frimpong Wiredu
The Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has cautioned the government to be deliberate in its approach to regulating online expression through the proposed cybersecurity bill currently under consideration.
According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, while efforts to curb cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital crimes are commendable, the bill in its current form risks criminalizing free speech and infringing on fundamental rights guaranteed under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
He explained that Ghana’s existing legal framework already provides civil remedies for defamation, invasion of privacy, and other related offences, which can be effectively applied to address online misconduct without introducing overly punitive measures.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, the former Information Minister stressed that the government must strike a delicate balance between protecting citizens from online abuse and safeguarding the democratic principles of free expression and accountability.
“We must be careful not to create laws that will have a chilling effect on speech or discourage citizens from expressing their opinions freely,” he cautioned.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s comments come at a time when government agencies and stakeholders are reviewing the draft cybersecurity legislation aimed at enhancing Ghana’s digital safety and protecting users from online threats.
However, civil society organizations and media advocates have also expressed similar concerns, urging policymakers to ensure that the new law upholds constitutional freedoms while addressing genuine cybersecurity challenges.
