Persons Caught Spreading Fake News Must Be Prosecuted Ursula Owusu

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has called on the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Police Service, and the Attorney General’s Office to collaborate in expediting the identification of individuals who spread misinformation and disinformation through electronic media.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in Accra, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stressed that swift action will serve as a deterrent, preventing others from using electronic platforms to incite public fear and disrupting essential services through false information.

“Legally, spreading misinformation and disinformation is a criminal offence under our law. Section 208(1) of the Criminal Code makes it a misdemeanour to publish false statements that cause public alarm.

“A few successful prosecutions have been had but I think we need to increase the use of these deterrent mechanisms so that people will know that it is not okay to use electronic media to deliberately spread false information to create fear and panic amongst the population.

“I will urge the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Police Service, and the Attorney General’s Office to expedite action.”