Ghana’s top cop has been quoted saying that the government is thinking of blocking social media during elections due to abuse of social media platforms by political parties and ordinary Ghanaians to create unnecessary tension in the lead up to the polls reports African news.
“At one stage I said that if it becomes critical on the eve and also on the election day, we shall block all social media as other countries have done. We’re thinking about it,” these are the views of Ghana’s top cop, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Kudalor at a media interaction in Accra, Thursday.
The IGP further said that the ban would be less than 24 hours, from 7am to 5pm, which are the voting hours in Ghana. He added that Ghana can learn from examples in other African countries which limited the use of social media on election day according to Joy Online.
Blocking social media is becoming a common practice in Africa during elections, Ugandan authorities blocked social media during recently held elections, same situation played out in Congo Brazaville, where MTN and Airtel announced to customers that they had been instructed to block internet service.
Ghana has successfully held seven elections since it adopted the fourth republican consitituion in 1992. This year’s election according to analysts is going to be a keen contest between the incumbent John Dramani Mahama and the opposition Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. General elections will be held in Ghana on 7 November 2016 to elect a President and Members of Parliament.
Ghanaians have objected to the idea strongly on social media
I understand the basis of the IGP's thinking but I don't think the method is right – Ace Ankomah #CitiCBS
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) May 27, 2016
Block social media?? What kind of lazy, North Korean, Communist security measure is that….. Ah i dnt think far mehn @benkoku #CitiCBS
— Kofi Antwi (@RadioNerd_) May 27, 2016
