President John Dramani Mahama has called for a national stakeholder engagement to address the growing incidence of hate speech, abusive language and other harmful content on social media and emerging digital platforms.
In a letter dated September 22, 2026, and signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama, the President tasked the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene the engagement.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns about the changing nature of Ghana’s media environment, where public discourse is increasingly influenced not only by traditional media organisations but also by bloggers, content creators, influencers and users of platforms such as TikTok.
According to the Presidency, many of these digital actors command substantial audiences and influence, but may not operate under recognised editorial standards or clear accountability mechanisms.
President Mahama said the development presents a significant public-policy challenge, stressing the need to tackle hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct without undermining legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent.
He further expressed concern that disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary could be counterproductive, create “undeserving martyrs” and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The President is therefore seeking the development of a coherent national roadmap that protects freedom of expression while ensuring an appropriate and proportionate response to genuinely harmful digital content.
The proposed stakeholder engagement is expected to bring together the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, bloggers, influencers and other content creators.
Legal and human-rights experts, representatives of digital platforms where possible, as well as relevant regulatory and security institutions, are also expected to participate.
The engagement is expected to assess the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework and help clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.
It will also consider practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and recommend policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures to address harmful online content.
Beyond enforcement, the Presidency wants the process to examine public education, media and digital literacy, professional and ethical standards for online content creators, and accessible complaints and redress mechanisms.
It has also called for consideration of alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
The MFWA and GJA have been asked to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.
