Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, has cautioned that the proposed Cyber Security Amendment Bill could undermine Ghana’s democratic principles and freedom of expression.
His remarks follow concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament, who allege that the draft law could be used to criminalise free speech. The bill reportedly seeks to make it an offence to post or share messages in online chat groups deemed offensive or inciteful.
The Minority has also linked the proposal to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to trace the IP addresses of individuals spreading hate speech or inciting violence to hold them accountable.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah described the trend as alarming, citing recent arrests of TikTok users and NPP’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, over controversial social media comments.
He stressed that civil remedies could address such issues without resorting to criminal prosecution.
“Today, it appears it’s being done to NPP members, so many people don’t care. We’re gradually entering dangerous territory. I pray for you if you allow such a law to pass,” he warned.
The Ofoase Ayirebi MP further cautioned that using criminal laws to regulate speech could be easily abused by future administrations, urging the government to reconsider the proposed legislation to safeguard Ghana’s democratic freedoms.
Source: Adomonline