The president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has warned that the proposed amendments to Ghana’s Cybersecurity Bill could undermine press freedom and free expression if passed without broader consultation.
Speaking during a news conference in Accra to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Mr Dwumfuor said while the GJA supports efforts to strengthen the country’s cyber framework, the proposed changes must not erode constitutional rights.
The news conference sought to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. It also used the opportunity to address other key matters of national interest, including updates on the Ahmed Suale case; the proposed Misinformation, Disinformation, Hate Speech and Publication of Offensive Materials (MDHI) Bill 2025; and the 29th GJA Media Awards.
“We call for broad engagement, public consultation, and education to fine-tune the bill to ensure that every sector directly impacted understands and makes the needed input in the public interest,” he told reporters.
Avoid rush
He urged lawmakers to avoid rushing the amendment process, saying, “If what the amendment seeks to cure will worsen the cyber ecosystem, then we must tread cautiously.”
Mr Dwumfuor stressed that the media plays a critical role in Ghana’s democracy, and warned that attempts to limit its freedom under the guise of cybersecurity reform could weaken accountability and transparency.
Mr. Dwumfuor reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to defending media freedoms, saying, “The GJA and the media will always seek to protect these guaranteed rights and ensure that they are not taken from us.”
He called on Parliament to consult journalists, civil society groups, and technology experts before finalizing the bill, to ensure it promotes digital safety without infringing on fundamental rights.
Enforcement powers
The GJA president explained that while the bill aims to enhance the fight against cybercrime, its vaguely defined offences and broad enforcement powers “have the potential to criminalise legitimate online reporting and expose journalists and their sources to surveillance.”
Mr Dwumfour stressed that after a careful examination, “the association is convinced that the current form of the bill poses a real threat to journalism, freedom of expression and media independence and must therefore be subjected to broader consultation and judicial safeguards.”
He warned that the vague and overly broad definitions of cyber offences in the bill could create a chilling effect on press freedom.
“Experience from other countries shows that such ambiguous provisions are often weaponised to silence critical reporting and suppress dissenting voices,” he said.
He said the bill’s expanded investigatory powers could allow authorities to access journalists’ private communications and expose confidential sources without judicial oversight, posing a grave risk to media independence and whistle blower protection.
Interference
Mr Dwumfour stated that granting prosecutorial powers to the Cyber Security Authority under the bill could lead to excessive centralisation and political interference.
He maintained that giving a technical agency such sweeping authority without strong institutional oversight might result in the selective targeting of critical media outlets.
“When enforcement powers are concentrated in one agency, the risk of abuse and intimidation of journalists becomes real, as seen in other jurisdictions,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He warned that the bill’s takedown and liability clauses could also encourage private censorship, as online platforms and publishers might resort to removing legitimate content to avoid legal consequences.
Credit: Daily Statesman
