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Cybersecurity and misinformation bills not meant to silence citizens – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that the Cybersecurity Amendment Bill (2025) and the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill currently before Parliament are not intended to limit free speech.
In a message posted on his Facebook page after the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards on Saturday, the President said the bills are aimed at protecting citizens and promoting truth in the digital space.
“The bills are not designed to restrict free expression. They are meant to safeguard the citizenry and uphold truth in the digital realm,” he stated.
He acknowledged that while digital tools have made it easier to access and share information, they have also enabled the spread of hate, defamation, impersonation, and cyberbullying.
The government, he said, is committed to addressing these challenges responsibly.
President Mahama recognised that the GJA and civil society organisations have raised concerns about the proposed laws.
He assured them that these concerns will be addressed transparently and constructively.
“Our aim is to extend the ethical standards of traditional journalism into the digital space without infringing on constitutional freedoms,” he said.
He stressed that freedom of expression comes with responsibility.
“Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to ruin reputations, threaten lives, or incite violence. The boundary of free speech is speech that endangers peace and human dignity,” he added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
