The Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed worry over the negative side effects of technology, with particular focus on social media, which he says has the potential of spreading false news, propaganda and fear which can undermine organizational, societal and national cohesion and stability.
Speaking as the Guest of Honor at the Ghana Navy at Sixty ceremonial parade at the Sekondi Naval Base, on the theme: “Celebrating 60 years of Naval Excellence, securing the maritime domain for national development”, Bawumia stated that it is unfortunate that some Ghanaians, including officers of the law, have unwittingly been dragged into social media use for negative purposes.
He is thus urging the Military High Command, to as a matter of urgency, formulate the necessary regulations for the healthy use of social media by military personnel and be mindful and circumspect in the use of social media in a manner that is inconsistent with, or in breach, of the Code of Service Discipline.
The Vice President further urged both senior and junior leadership in the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces to continuously and consistently intensify awareness and education of the young officers and sailors you command, through both formal and informal channels on the proper use of social media, as well as its negative side-effects and remembered all to be guided by the words of Theodore Roosevelt that, “a good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace” Your activities on land and in sea should be geared towards the preservation of the peace that Ghana is enjoying.
