Keep the internet on, do not tamper with social media during the elections - MFWA to gov't

As Ghana gears up for its 2024 elections, concerns about internet freedom have taken centre stage. A coalition of organizations, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has joined forces with Access Now and the Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation to issue a call to action, urging the government to ensure that the internet remains open and secure throughout the electoral process.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns that internet shutdowns or disruptions could undermine the integrity of the elections. The MFWA and its partners are advocating for the government to take proactive steps to protect internet freedom and prevent any attempts to restrict access to information.

The coalition's concerns are not unfounded. In recent years, several African countries have experienced internet shutdowns or disruptions during elections, with devastating consequences for democracy and human rights. Ghana, which has a reputation for being a beacon of democracy in West Africa, is under pressure to ensure that its elections are free, fair, and transparent.

The MFWA and its partners are urging the government to take a proactive approach to protecting internet freedom and preventing any attempts to restrict access to information. This includes ensuring that the internet remains open and secure throughout the electoral process, and that social media platforms are not tampered with.

Kwaku Krobea Asante, a Senior Programme Officer at MFWA, stressed that an open internet is crucial for addressing misinformation and providing citizens with accurate information. The coalition is calling on the government to assure citizens that it will keep the internet on and social media platforms untempered throughout the electoral period.

“We are urging the leadership of the country, the president, the Ministries of Communications, The Interior, NCA and security services and all stakeholders who are in the process of ensuring that we keep the internet on throughout the electoral period; before, during, and after the election.

“We are making this call because of what we have seen in other countries, especially in Africa. Countries that have stellar press freedom and autocratic regimes than Ghana. In recent years, we have seen them shutting down the internet and so it has become necessary for us to protect what we have and form a consolidation of our democratic process.

“We are calling on the government to assure citizens that it is going to keep the internet on, and the social media platforms are not going to be tempered. So, that we can all have access to information and the EC will be seen as transparent and fair”, he added.

Source: Florence Kyei /Lead News Online