*Speaker Backs President's Call For National Dialogue On Hate Speech And Abusive Social Media Content* The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has

*Speaker Backs President's Call For National Dialogue On Hate Speech And Abusive Social Media Content* The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has thrown his weight behind President John Dramani Mahama's call for a national stakeholder dialogue to tackle hate speech and abusive content on social media. The Speaker noted that the growing culture of insults, personal attacks, ethnic insinuations and deliberate disinformation on both traditional and digital platforms has become a threat to Ghana's democracy and social cohesion. He observed that public discourse has shifted dangerously from reasoned debate to abuse. "Disagreement is no longer expressed through reasoned argument but through insults, with opponents treated as enemies. Personal abuse is substituted for engagement with ideas. Allegations are repeated without regard to their truth or consequences. Ethnic insinuations, invective and language deliberately calculated to incite others are amplified t

By Administrator

Published on 29/09/2026 18:12

News

*Speaker Backs President's Call For National Dialogue On Hate Speech And Abusive Social Media Content*

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has thrown his weight behind President John Dramani Mahama's call for a national stakeholder dialogue to tackle hate speech and abusive content on social media.

The Speaker noted that the growing culture of insults, personal attacks, ethnic insinuations and deliberate disinformation on both traditional and digital platforms has become a threat to Ghana's democracy and social cohesion.

He observed that public discourse has shifted dangerously from reasoned debate to abuse.

"Disagreement is no longer expressed through reasoned argument but through insults, with opponents treated as enemies. Personal abuse is substituted for engagement with ideas. Allegations are repeated without regard to their truth or consequences. Ethnic insinuations, invective and language deliberately calculated to incite others are amplified through these platforms with extraordinary speed and reach. This should concern us all," the Speaker stated.

The Speaker's comments follow a directive from the Presidency, in a letter dated September 22, 2026, and signed by Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama.

President Mahama has tasked the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to lead a broad national engagement to develop a roadmap to deal with harmful digital content while protecting freedom of expression.

Report filed by PKB

According to the Presidency, many digital platforms and personalities now command large audiences and significant public influence but "may not always operate under established editorial standards, professional ethics or clear accountability mechanisms."