Posted on 07/17/2026 8:17:46 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Ghana has recorded 14 arrests linked to false news and offensive speech in less than 16 months, nearly double the number documented during the previous administration’s entire eight-year tenure, according to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The rise has triggered a sharp debate in one of West Africa’s most stable democracies over whether authorities are simply enforcing long-standing laws in a new digital environment, or edging into a more restrictive approach to public speech.
The controversy carries added political weight because President John Mahama, while in opposition in 2022, warned that using state power to intimidate dissent was a “dangerous blueprint” for democracy.
A senior ruling party official dismissed allegations that the arrests amount to a crackdown.
“The opposition intentionally sponsors people to insult the President,” he told Al Jazeera. “When the law catches up with them, they cry persecution to score cheap political points.”
He pointed to the case of TikToker Prince Ofori, known as “Fante Comedy”, who was arrested last August over alleged threats to President Mahama.
Days after his arrest, Ofori appeared at a political rally alongside opposition figures, a development the official said showed how quickly such cases become politicised.
“They paraded him at an opposition rally,”
Opposition leaders see something more troubling taking shape.
Minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has been among the most outspoken critics.
At the centre of the debate are long-standing provisions in Ghana’s Criminal Code and Electronic Communications Act, which authorities say are now being applied to a fast-moving digital landscape.
Government supporters argue the increase in arrests reflects the explosion of anonymous and unregulated online content.
Critics say the problem is not the laws themselves, but how they are being used.
“The law has been abused beyond repair,” he said. “Repeal is the only remedy.”
(Excerpt) Read more at aljazeera.com ...
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It sounds almost as bad as the EU for free speech.
Ghana? Hell, the United States didn’t have free speech under Biden, and little of Europe has free speech.
If Ghana isn’t careful, it may end up as bad as the UK.
And Trump hasn’t even arrested anybody.
Worst Dictator, Ever!
Britain is far worse.
UK....hold me beer.
EU, UK and the Biden regime did the same thing.
Now the Europeans have no business attacking any African country for doing the same thing they are doing.
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