By: Daniel Bampoe
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is set to table the long-awaited National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill before Parliament.
The move, spearheaded by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, is being touted as a major step toward sanitizing Ghana’s digital landscape—though critics have already begun questioning its political undertones.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Sam George confirmed that the bill will be laid before Parliament in its next sitting.
He emphasized the urgent need to curb the intentional spread of falsehoods online, which he says undermines public trust, destabilizes democracy, and compromises national security.
“This legislation is designed to strengthen legal safeguards against the intentional spread of false or harmful digital content,” George stated.
“It will provide enforcement clarity while upholding freedom of expression.”
A Shift from Past Narratives
Interestingly, this move comes from a government whose leading figures—including many now serving in top positions—were, during their time in opposition, widely criticized for promoting unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories against the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
Political observers point out that what was once labelled “activism” and “speaking truth to power” is now being rebranded as dangerous misinformation under the same individuals now in government.
During the NPP’s tenure, many of the current NDC appointees used social media and public platforms to fiercely criticize the government, sometimes spreading unverified claims.
Ironically, these activities were defended at the time as legitimate political expression.
Critics are now pointing to a double standards, suggesting that the government’s current effort may be aimed more at controlling the political narrative than truly protecting digital integrity.
Balancing Regulation and Free Speech
Sam George, however, was quick to dispel any fears of government overreach, assuring the public that the bill is not an attempt to stifle dissent or clamp down on free expression.
“We will not clamp down on freedom of expression, which will be respected,” he said. “However, when your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins.”
He explained that the bill proposes a clear legal framework that will empower regulatory institutions to identify, track, and respond to the spread of deliberate falsehoods online, while still respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
The legislation is also expected to outline the responsibilities of media houses, digital platforms, and individuals in the age of information warfare.
The bill also seeks to foster digital literacy, improve media ethics, and promote accountable digital communication, especially in an era where social media has become a battleground for propaganda, hate speech, and conspiracy theories.
A Political and Legal Test Case
As the bill heads to Parliament, political analysts say it will serve as a litmus test for how serious the NDC government is about democratic values and human rights.
The legislation is expected to face intense scrutiny, not only from opposition lawmakers but also from civil society, international rights groups, and digital rights advocates.
While many agree on the need to address the spread of false information online—particularly in the wake of misinformation-fueled unrest across the continent—some fear that the NDC’s past record makes it difficult to trust its motives.
