President Mahama Asks GJA and MFWA to Convene Hate Speech Dialogue

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly organise a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content and responsible digital communication.

The initiative is aimed at addressing the growing use of hate speech, threats, abusive language and other harmful content on social media and emerging digital platforms while safeguarding freedom of expression.

In a letter from the Office of the President dated September 22, 2026 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, President Mahama noted that Ghana’s media landscape has changed significantly.

He said public discourse is now shaped not only by traditional media organisations operating under established professional and regulatory frameworks, but also by bloggers, content creators, influencers and users of platforms such as TikTok.

According to the President, many of these online actors command large audiences but may not operate under recognised editorial standards or clear accountability mechanisms.

He described the situation as a “difficult but important public-policy challenge,” stressing the need to tackle hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct without criminalising legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent.

President Mahama also raised concerns about what he described as “disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary.”

He said such actions could be counterproductive, create “undeserving martyrs” and weaken public confidence in state institutions.

The President stressed the need for “an urgent need for a coherent national roadmap” that protects freedom of expression while ensuring an appropriate and proportionate response to genuinely harmful digital content.

He has therefore asked the MFWA and GJA to lead a broad stakeholder process on hate speech and responsible digital communication.

The engagement is expected to bring together the National Media Commission, religious bodies, the Ghana Police Service, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, bloggers, influencers and other content creators.

Legal and human-rights experts, representatives of digital platforms, where possible, as well as relevant regulatory and security institutions are also expected to participate.

The engagement will examine the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework and clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.

It will also consider practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and recommend appropriate policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures.

The process is further expected to address public education, media and digital literacy, ethical standards for online content creators, accessible complaints and redress mechanisms, as well as alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.

The MFWA and GJA have been asked to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo