The Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has debunked assertions on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram among others of an imminent shut of the internet in Ghana.
According to the Minister, internet shutdown is not an option for Ghana contrary to claims in some media outlets.
A statement by Minister and copied to the Ghanaian Publisher indicated that she addressed participants at the Annual Freedom Online conference at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Center in on February 6th, 2020.
She noted in her address that abuse of the internet can cause social unrest, threaten peace and security and infringe on privacy and individual liberties among others.
According to the statement, the Minister’s concerns have been interpreted by media outlets as advocating shutting down of internet networking sites.
The Minister argued abuse of internet has indeed resulted in the issue of internet shutdown being discussed extensively globally.
“Unfortunately, a section of the media misreported the Minister’s statement on Ghana’s position on internet shutdown and content regulation,” it said.
The statement noted that responsible and accurate reportage is vital as the country enters the campaign period and urged all media houses to refrain from skewed, false and sensational reports that have the tendency to spread panic among consumers.
The speed of dissemination and reach of social media, it said, makes it imperative that the highest form of self-regulation be exercised by media houses to avoid inflaming passions and heightening tension unduly.
