Internet shutdown is not an option for Ghana - George Andah

Deputy Communications Minister has affirmed that an internet shutdown and content regulation is not an option for Ghana as it heads to the polls in December 2020.

According to George Andah, some media houses yesterday misreported the sector Minster, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, after she noted in a speech that government might be compelled to self-regulate the use of the internet if ethics are not observed to protect the safety of Ghanaians online.

“The issues of an Internet shutdown was discussed intensively in a session as a problem with a rising frequency which is taking place in many countries and a range of ideas from different stakeholders on how to address this trend were put forward”

"Unfortunately, just yesterday, we witnessed a section of the media in Ghana misreporting the speech delivered by the Hon. Minster about Ghana's position on Internet shutdowns and content regulations. I wish to reaffirm this: ‘Internet shutdown is not an option for Ghana.’

“We are working and will continue to work with all stakeholders to put in place Human Rights Centered Protection and Regulations policies to make sure that we all promote the responsible use and access to the internet.”

George Andah made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) conference in Accra on Friday, January 7.

The conference which was under the theme: ‘Achieving a Common Vision for Internet Freedom’ initiated a two day discourse on ways to improve internet access and ensure cybersecurity safety in Ghana.

Earlier, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said government was in the process of passing a comprehensive law on Cyber Security which aims to regulate the ethical use of the Internet and protect the safety of Ghanaians online.

"Now we're in the process of passing a comprehensive law on Cyber Security and the Ministry of Information is concerned about the proliferation of fake news items on our social media platforms."

"We need to sit down and have a dispassionate conversation particularly with the media, civil society organisations while focusing on individual rights and liberties, we also need to realise that the security of the state is also very paramount"

"Now, your individual freedom ends where mine begins, so you can't say you have a right to do something which will affect me negatively. We all have a competing right and we need to strike an even balance to protect everyone's right," she told GhanaWeb.