The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has raised concerns over what it describes as a growing pattern of state-backed arrests and detentions of bloggers and activists in Ghana, carried out under the pretext of combating “false news.”
The latest case, according to the MFWA, involves Democracy Hub activist Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah, whose arrest, the foundation said, signals a troubling rollback of Ghana’s democratic gains and echoes the repressive logic of the repealed Criminal Libel Law.
The Ghana Police Service, National Security, and other state security agencies, the MFWA noted, are increasingly being deployed to settle reputational disputes involving public officials, bypassing civil remedies in favour of custodial intimidation.
Several high-profile cases have heightened concern:
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Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah: Arrested on November 26, 2025, after a petition by the “Ashanti Democrats” representing three Regional Ministers, over allegations of their involvement in illegal mining. Yeboah had issued a formal retraction and apology on November 18.
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Samuel Amadotor: Blogger detained on November 20, 2025, following a complaint by former NCA Board Chairman Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio II.
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Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC): NPP Bono Regional Chairman arrested on September 8, 2025, for “offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace” and “publication of false news” after criticizing the Inspector General of Police.
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Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare: Wontumi TV presenter abducted on August 12, 2025, following claims linking President John Mahama to a fatal military helicopter crash; later found at Police Headquarters in Accra.
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Fante Comedy and Akosua Jollof: TikTok creators arrested on August 12, 2025, after live-stream comments regarding the helicopter crash.
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Alfred Ababio Kumi: Former parliamentary aspirant arrested on May 17, 2025, over social media claims about judicial misconduct.
MFWA highlights that these arrests have relied on Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act (Act 775)—legislation the organisation terms the “Twin Laws,” vestiges of colonial-era criminal libel provisions.
While the government’s 2025 MDHI Bill promises to repeal these laws, MFWA warns that the bill contains provisions that could replicate their restrictive effects, particularly the broad definition of “hate speech,” which could criminalise politically inconvenient speech.
MFWA described the trend as a betrayal of Ghana’s democratic legacy, noting that civil remedies such as rejoinders, arbitration, and civil defamation suits are sufficient for addressing reputational disputes.
Criminal prosecution, it said, chills free expression, discourages whistleblowing, and violates international human rights frameworks, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In response, MFWA has called for:
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Immediate Dropping of Criminal Charges: Authorities should release those currently in custody and respect constitutional rights.
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Judicial Restraint: Prioritise non-custodial sentences for speech-related offenses.
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Legislative Reform: Urgent repeal of Section 208 and Section 76 to fully remove the vestiges of the criminal libel law.
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Review of MDHI Bill: Ensure new legislation reinforces civil remedies and avoids reintroducing repressive elements.
The MFWA warned that Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of media freedom in Africa is under threat, cautioning that arbitrary arrests for speech offenses undermine the country’s democratic credentials.
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