Former Tamale Central legislator Inusah Fuseini has urged caution in Ghana’s attempt to legislate against misinformation, warning that the proposed National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill could easily be abused if not carefully structured.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Fuseini stressed the need to protect free speech while acknowledging the dangers of falsehoods on digital platforms. “We will not clamp down on freedom of expression,” he said. “However, when your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins.”
He warned that the proposed law, spearheaded by Minister of Communications Samuel Nartey George, must avoid partisan enforcement.
“Finding that balance will require proper national debate, and I hope Sam George or whoever is spearheading it will not be driven by the energy of politics but will actually create a very open forum for debate,” he noted.
Fuseini argued that while misinformation is a growing challenge, especially in the age of digital media, regulation should not come at the cost of constitutional freedoms.
He maintained that a participatory process was necessary so citizens could input into the bill before it is passed.
“When the draft of the law is finally made available, all of us will input and ensure that we deal with this emerging phenomenon,” he said.
The bill, announced in July, is expected to outline penalties for those who spread deliberate falsehoods, hate speech, or disinformation online.
