Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has urged Ghanaians to protect freedom of expression while ensuring that social media is not used to promote threats, incitement or deliberate falsehoods.
He made the remarks on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when Parliament reconvened for an emergency sitting, amid renewed discussions about social media regulation and misinformation in Ghana.
Bagbin said the ongoing national conversation must avoid both extremes — restricting legitimate criticism and allowing harmful content to go unchecked.
He called for a broad and inclusive discussion involving relevant stakeholders, stressing that any approach to regulation should preserve citizens’ right to express their views.
“The national conversation should, in my view, be broad, inclusive, and measured,” he said.
The Speaker added that the debate should not be used to suppress dissent or protect public officials from legitimate criticism.
He, however, warned that freedom of expression should not be used to justify harmful conduct.
“Neither should legitimate concerns about freedom of expression become an excuse for threats, incitement, deliberate falsehoods or the reckless abuse of others,” Bagbin said.
His comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s call for a national stakeholder dialogue on the regulation of TikTok and other new media platforms.
Mahama has raised concerns about misinformation, insults and harmful content online while acknowledging the need to protect freedom of expression.
The President has asked the Ghana Journalists Association and Media Foundation for West Africa to help convene stakeholders for discussions on the issue.
