President John Dramani Mahama has called for a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive language and other harmful content on social media and emerging digital platforms.

The Office of the President has asked the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to jointly convene the engagement.

The proposed engagement comes amid what the President described as a changing media environment, with public discourse increasingly shaped by bloggers, content creators, influencers and users of platforms such as TikTok.

According to the Office of the President, many of these actors have substantial audiences and influence but are not necessarily subject to recognised editorial standards or clear accountability mechanisms.

The letter said the engagement should address hate speech, threats, incitement and other unlawful conduct while protecting legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent.

“The President is particularly concerned that disproportionate arrests over mere criticism or politically charged commentary may be counterproductive, create undeserving martyrs and undermine public confidence in state Institutions,” the letter said.

It said there was an urgent need for “a coherent national roadmap that protects freedom of expression while providing an appropriate and proportionate response to genuinely harmful digital content.”

The MFWA and GJA have been asked to lead a broad stakeholder process involving the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, religious bodies, civil society organisations, traditional media organisations, content creators, bloggers and influencers.

Legal and human-rights experts, representatives of digital platforms, where possible, and relevant state regulatory and security institutions are also expected to participate.

The engagement is expected to examine the adequacy of Ghana’s existing legal, regulatory and institutional framework and “clarify the distinction between lawful criticism and unlawful speech.”

It will also propose practical guidelines for law-enforcement agencies and recommend appropriate policy, legislative, regulatory and non-legislative measures.

The process should also consider public education, media and digital literacy, professional and ethical standards for online content creators, and accessible complaints and redress mechanisms.

The letter specifically called for “alternatives to arrest and prosecution in cases that do not involve threats, incitement, violence or other clearly criminal conduct.”

The MFWA and GJA have been requested to submit a proposed framework and timetable for the stakeholder engagement, together with recommendations arising from the process, for the President’s consideration.

The letter, dated September 22, 2026, was signed by Secretary to the President Callistus Mahama.