Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has voiced concerns about the draft Cybersecurity Bill, warning that it threatens free speech in the country. He pointed out that certain provisions in the bill could criminalize speech, which goes against the global trend of moving away from such practices.
During a press conference in Accra last Sunday, the former Minister of Information highlighted that the bill, in its current form, could pose significant risks to free speech and dissent in the country. He explained that the draft aims to target individuals who make remarks or comments on their online platforms that may be considered unfavourable, offensive, or incisive.
“What we are seeing appears to be a draft, and they want to consult on it. From my experience as a former information minister, this draft is dangerous, though it’s not surprising,” he stated. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah added that the draft bill could lead to individuals being prosecuted and jailed for what they share in their chat groups, potentially infringing on personal freedom and privacy. Mr Oppong Nkrumah called on the government to tread cautiously and consider repealing existing laws that criminalise speech instead of enacting new ones.
“The government needs to tread cautiously. I am hopeful that when the consultations start, the government will see wisdom in backtracking and ensuring that, instead of seeking to criminalise speech further, even the remnant laws on criminalisation of speech should be repealed,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah said.
He cited the law on publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic as an example of a law that needed to be repealed, saying that it was to promote free speech that made the Kufuor administration repeal the Criminal Libel and Sedition Act. Mr Oppong Nkrumah suggested that civil remedies, rather than criminalisation, would be a more effective way to address speech-related issues. This, he said, would advance the frontier of democracy in the country and guarantee freedom of speech.
The Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation has maintained that the amendments are not intended to suppress free speech but to safeguard the country’s cyberspace and protect citizens from online abuse and cybercrime. The bill is currently before Parliament’s Communications Committee for consideration, with public consultations expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The new Cybersecurity Bill updates the 2020 Act to address threats such as AI scams, blockchain risks and online harassment of vulnerable groups. Critics have, however, raised concerns that it gives the Cyber Security Authority powers to access data, seize devices or freeze assets for up to 180 days without notifying targets, which they see as excessive surveillance.
Source: Samuel Duodu
