President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to convene a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content, and responsible digital communication.
In a letter dated September 22, 2026, and signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama, the Presidency said the engagement was necessary in response to the growing influence of social media and emerging digital platforms on public discourse.
The letter noted that bloggers, content creators, influencers and other social media users now command substantial audiences and influence, but are not necessarily subject to the editorial standards and accountability mechanisms that apply to traditional media organisations.
It called for a national roadmap that balances the need to address harmful online content with the protection of freedom of expression.
“While hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct must be addressed, legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent must not be criminalised,” the letter stated.
President Mahama also expressed concern about what the Presidency described as disproportionate arrests over criticism or politically charged commentary.
“The President is particularly concerned that disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary may be counterproductive, create undeserving martyrs and undermine public confidence in state institutions,” the letter said.
The proposed engagement is expected to bring together the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, content creators, bloggers, influencers, legal and human-rights experts, digital platforms and relevant regulatory and security institutions.
The stakeholders are expected to examine the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework and clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.
They will also be asked to propose practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and recommend policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures for dealing with harmful digital content.
The Presidency wants the process to consider alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
Other areas for consideration include public education, media and digital literacy, professional and ethical standards for online content creators, as well as accessible complaints and redress mechanisms.
The MFWA and GJA have been requested to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.
