The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has raised serious concerns about a growing number of arrests and detentions of bloggers and activists in Ghana, often justified as efforts to curb “false news”.
The organisation warned that this trend threatens freedom of expression and undermines Ghana’s democratic progress.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 10, the MFWA highlighted the recent arrest of Democracy Hub activist Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah as a troubling example.
Yeboah was detained on November 26, 2025, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after the Ashanti Democrats petitioned the police, accusing him of making unverified claims that linked three Regional Ministers to illegal mining activities.
The MFWA noted that Yeboah had already withdrawn the allegations and issued a formal apology on November 18, admitting they were unsubstantiated.
Despite this, authorities still proceeded with his arrest.
The statement also referenced other similar incidents.
Blogger Samuel Amadotor was arrested on November 20 following a complaint by a former official of the National Communications Authority.
Bono Regional NPP Chairman Kwame Baffoe was detained in September over comments he made about the Inspector General of Police.
In another case, Wontumi TV presenter Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare was abducted by unidentified men in August and later found at the Police Headquarters in Accra after making controversial statements linking President John Mahama to a fatal military helicopter crash.
TikTok creators Fante Comedy and Akosua Jollof were likewise arrested for comments they made during a live session about the same incident.
According to the MFWA, these incidents reveal a troubling pattern in which state security agencies, including the police and National Security, are being used to intimidate critics rather than maintain public order.
The organisation criticised the continued use of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) laws it described as “Twin Laws” that effectively replaced the repealed Criminal Libel Law.
Analysts have long warned that these provisions are being applied arbitrarily to silence dissenting voices.
Although the government’s proposed Misinformation, Disinformation, Hate Speech and Publication of Other Information (MDHI) Bill, 2025, aims to repeal these laws, the MFWA cautioned that the new bill could reintroduce similar restrictions through broad and vague definitions of hate speech.
The organisation called for immediate intervention, urging authorities to drop all criminal charges against those affected, ensure that individuals in custody enjoy their full constitutional rights, and prioritise civil rather than criminal approaches in handling speech-related disputes.
It also called for the repeal of Section 208 and Section 76 and a comprehensive review of the MDHI Bill to strengthen non-criminal pathways for resolving conflicts.
The MFWA emphasised that Ghana’s reputation as a leader in media freedom is at stake, arguing that the country cannot claim to uphold free expression while allowing arbitrary arrests for speech offences.
It stressed that civil remedies such as rejoinders, mediation through the National Media Commission, or civil defamation actions are effective ways to address reputational issues without infringing on citizens’ liberties.
