Ghana: 2016 polls: Police backtracks on social media ban

The Director of Communications at the Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur has clarified that Social Media will not be blocked on Election Day contrary to claims by the Inspector General of Police John Kudalor.

Mr. Kudalor had earlier suggested that a social media ban on election was being considered as one of the security measures to be put in place to counter trouble makers.

“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,” Mr. Kudalor said.

His comments generated widespread condemnation by several institutions including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), BloggingGhana and the UN.

Majority of Ghanaians also criticized the decision describing it as undemocratic and backward.

But speaking at Blogging Ghana’s Blog camp on Saturday, SP Arthur said the IGP’s comment was made on the spur of the moment and not a decision that had been taken by the Police Service.

“The IGP used the word alternatives but it looks as if nobody heard the other alternatives that he mentioned because nobody is discussing that. This was not part of his speech. It was a kind of off the top of his head answer.

“Let us not be alarmed. The IGP is not about to block social media on election day and we are going to have our social media,” SP Arthur said.

Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kobina Welsing