Mahama Tasks MFWA, GJA to Lead National Dialogue On Hate Speech, Abusive Online Content
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene a national stakeholder engagement on the growing incidence of hate speech and abusive language on social media and emerging digital platforms.
In a letter dated September 22, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, the President said the move has become necessary due to the changing media environment.
According to the Presidency, public discourse is no longer shaped only by traditional media organisations operating within established professional and regulatory frameworks, but also by individual bloggers, content creators, influencers and users of platforms such as TikTok.
Many of these actors have substantial audiences and influence but are not necessarily subject to recognised editorial standards or clear accountability mechanisms.
The President noted that while hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct must be addressed, legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent must not be criminalised.
He expressed particular concern that disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary may be counterproductive, create undeserving martyrs and undermine public confidence in state institutions.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for a coherent national roadmap that protects freedom of expression while providing an appropriate and proportionate response to genuinely harmful digital content,” the letter stated.
To that end, the MFWA and GJA have been requested to lead a broad, stakeholder-inclusive process involving the National Media Commission, the Ghana Police Service, relevant religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, social media content creators, bloggers and influencers, legal and human-rights experts, representatives of digital platforms where possible, and relevant state regulatory and security institutions.
The engagement is expected to examine the adequacy of the existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework, clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech, propose practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies, and recommend appropriate policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures.
It is also important to consider public education, media and digital literacy, professional and ethical standards for online content creators, accessible complaints and redress mechanisms, and alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
The MFWA and GJA are to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.
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