The Ghana Police Service is considering shutting down social media platforms in Ghana on the day of the elections, November 7.
The Inspector General of Police, John Kudalor, has said the use of social media by politicians, especially from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for election-related activities, has created tensions in the country, hence the proposed shutdown will reduce the tension.
“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 [sites] as other countries have done. We’re thinking about it,” John Kudalor said.
Jonh Kudalor said that the police were following the example of other countries.
In February, the Ugandan government shut down social media in the country in what President Yoweri Museveni called a “security measure to avert lies” as he was re-elected for a fifth term in office.
The IGP said the move would enable them to counter the actions of potential “troublemakers” who might compromise security operations during the elections.
“We are also thinking about the other alternative, that the police should be IT-compliant and get our own social media [account] to be able to stop these things on time,” John Kudalor explained.
“We are looking at the variables and come D-Day, we’ll come out with a decision,” he added.
Classfm
