The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says a rising wave of arrests targeting bloggers, activists and social media commentators is putting Ghana’s democratic reputation at risk. The organisation warns that state security agencies are increasingly using accusations of “false news” to justify detentions that echo the spirit of the long-abolished Criminal Libel Law.
The latest incident involves Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah of Democracy Hub, who was arrested after a petition from the “Ashanti Democrats” on behalf of three Regional Ministers. MFWA described his arrest as part of a wider pattern where the Police, National Security and other state bodies are being used to settle personal or reputational disputes of public officials rather than relying on civil mechanisms.
Several recent cases have deepened public concern:
- Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah: Arrested on November 26, 2025, despite issuing a public apology and retraction a week earlier over claims linking three Regional Ministers to illegal mining.
- Samuel Amadotor: Picked up on November 20, 2025, after former NCA Board Chair Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio II filed a complaint.
- Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC): NPP Bono Regional Chairman arrested on September 8, 2025, after comments deemed “offensive” toward the Inspector General of Police.
- Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare: A presenter with Wontumi TV who was abducted on August 12, 2025, following allegations against President John Mahama in the wake of a military helicopter crash. He later turned up at the Police Headquarters.
- Fante Comedy and Akosua Jollof: TikTok creators detained on August 12, 2025, over live-stream comments about the same incident.
- Alfred Ababio Kumi: Arrested on May 17, 2025, after social media posts alleging judicial misconduct.
MFWA notes that these actions rely heavily on Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act (Act 775). The foundation refers to these as “Twin Laws” rooted in colonial-era criminal libel, arguing that they have no place in a modern democracy.
Although government has promised to scrap these provisions through the 2025 MDHI Bill, MFWA is worried that the proposed law introduces broad definitions of hate speech that could be used to silence political dissent.
The organisation says the current trend contradicts Ghana’s long-standing record of media freedom. It argues that civil tools like rejoinders, arbitration and defamation suits are more appropriate for addressing reputational damage than criminal prosecution, which can intimidate critics and deter whistleblowers. It also points out that such prosecutions violate international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
MFWA is calling for several urgent steps:
- Drop criminal charges and release all individuals detained for speech-related offenses.
- Exercise judicial restraint, favouring non-custodial measures where necessary.
- Repeal Sections 208 and 76 to fully eliminate remnants of criminal libel.
- Amend the MDHI Bill to ensure it does not reintroduce restrictive provisions through its hate-speech clause.
The foundation cautions that Ghana’s status as a champion of press freedom in Africa is being eroded and warns that arbitrary arrests over speech risk damaging the country’s democratic standing.