The Minority in Parliament has expressed concern over what it describes as an attempt by the government to criminalise free speech through a proposed new legislation.
According to the caucus, a draft bill currently in circulation seeks to make it an offence to post or share comments in online chat groups that may be considered offensive or inciteful.
The Minority believes the move stems from President John Dramani Mahama’s recent directive to trace the IP addresses of individuals spreading hate speech or inciting violence, with the aim of holding them accountable.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, October 26, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and former Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, cautioned the government against what he described as a dangerous encroachment on free expression.
“What we’re seeing appears to be a draft, and they want to consult on that draft. From what I have seen, this draft is dangerous. Though not surprising, because the President first announced that they are going to use the national security apparatus to go after people who make comments on social media that they consider, for whatever reason, whether it is under hate speech or whatever they consider unfavourable, they are going to search for your IP address and get the security apparatus to go after you. The President said it.”
He added, “It’s not surprising that his Minister is following up with a draft bill with such wild provisions in there. Over the last few decades, various countries have been moving away from criminalising speech. There are other remedies for speech that may be deemed unfavourable. It’s a very dangerous encroachment on the area of free speech. The government needs to tread cautiously.”
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