Ghana’s Bold Move: New Law Against Misinformation – What Does It Mean?

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has revealed that the legislation will soon be presented to Parliament. Highlighting the seriousness of this issue, he noted, “Once the law is passed, we will clamp down on you if you are engaged in mis and disinformation.”

While the intent behind the law is clear, ensuring clarity and fairness in its application is paramount. Penplusbytes, a local non-profit focused on media and governance, has cautiously welcomed this initiative. However, they’ve emphasized the importance of grounding the legislation in democratic principles and urged for wide stakeholder consultation. Concerns remain regarding potential misuse, particularly if the law lacks precise definitions and protective clauses for journalists and activists.

To address these concerns and foster dialogue, Penplusbytes organized a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on April 11, 2025, in Accra. The conference brought together government representatives, civil society organizations, media professionals, legal experts, and technology companies to collectively discuss effective strategies to combat misinformation without compromising democratic freedoms.

As Ghana steps into this new regulatory territory, it remains vital to strike a balance between maintaining accurate information flows and protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms. The ongoing discourse will be essential to ensuring the law achieves its intended impact without unintended consequences.