Two content creators have been arrested by officers from Ghana’s National Security for publishing a video of President John Mahama in a conversation with the National Security Coordinator.
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Issaka Yahaya, known online as Nsem Fie TV, was arrested at Sefwi Dabiso in the Western North Region and transferred to the nation’s capital, Accra.
The following day, an X user, Godfred Ansu Damoah, was also picked up by armed officials said to be from the same institution, at his office in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. Damoah was first taken to Kumasi before being transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.
Both men have been charged with “Publishing false news” and “Conspiracy to publish false news” for posting the president’s conversation in which he was heard mentioning “GH¢150 million.”
The same video was published multiple times by other social media users without any of them facing similar actions by the authorities.
Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu rejected the characterisation of the video, posting on Facebook that some misguided elements had sought to distort the President’s words to achieve narrow partisan ends, and that the President was clearly speaking of the “release” of GH¢150 million for post-flood mitigation works and nothing more.
The arrests of Yahaya and Damoah add to a growing list of content creators in Ghana who have been arrested and charged under Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), and Section 208 (sometimes paired with Section 207) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
They also raise legitimate concerns over the polarisation of political and social discourse in Ghana, where some social media users make false remarks, allegations, and threats against individuals, particularly public office holders.
In July alone, the MFWA recorded six cases of arrests of TikTokers, bloggers, and political activists over comments or publications on social media that have landed them in the hands of security agencies.
The MFWA reiterates its longstanding call for the repeal or reform of the criminal “false news” provisions in Ghana’s statutes, which continue to be invoked in ways that unduly chill freedom of speech, particularly on matters of public interest.
The MFWA calls on the Ghanaian authorities to exercise restraint in applying “false news” provisions against online commentators and bloggers, especially in cases involving matters of public interest and social accountability.
While we do not endorse misinformation or irresponsible reporting, legitimate national security concerns stemming from publications should be addressed through proportionate and lawful measures. We urge law enforcement agencies to avoid using arrest and detention as a first response to speech-related offences.
