The Ghana Bloggers Association has backed President John Dramani Mahama’s call for national talks on online hate speech but wants bloggers and content creators given a direct voice.
The President’s directive came in a letter dated 22 September and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama. It asked the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content and responsible digital communication.
The process matters to bloggers because it is aimed partly at them. The letter noted that public debate is increasingly shaped by bloggers, content creators, influencers and TikTok users. Many of them have large audiences, it said, but are not necessarily subject to recognised editorial standards or clear accountability. The letter also called for alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.
In its statement, the association described the engagement as timely. It particularly welcomed the call for a clear line between unlawful speech on one side and legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent on the other. “Freedom of expression is fundamental to Ghana’s democracy,” it said. It warned that efforts to tackle genuinely harmful content should not end up suppressing lawful debate.
The association also accepted that free expression carries obligations. It said bloggers and creators have a duty to be accurate, fair and respectful and to avoid threats, incitement to violence and deliberately harmful misinformation. It backed the letter’s emphasis on public education, digital literacy, ethical standards and accessible complaints procedures. It argued that education, dialogue and self-regulation should be central to Ghana’s response.
It called on state institutions, law enforcement agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and digital platforms to approach the talks with openness and respect for constitutional rights. It said it was ready to work with the MFWA, the GJA and others on practical guidelines for responsible digital communication.
The presidential letter already lists social media content creators, bloggers and influencers among the expected participants. Also listed are the National Media Commission, the Ghana Police Service, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media, legal and human rights experts, digital platforms where possible, and state regulatory and security institutions.
The MFWA and the GJA have been asked to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the engagement, along with any recommendations that come out of it, for the President’s consideration.
