Impersonation, Fake News and Misinformation

Per discussions on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday February 5, 2025, Members were in agreement that the challenging issue of impersonation on social media platforms, and misinformation needs some urgent attention and solution.

Rightly so, because it is a challenge that affects and poses a grave danger to almost every home, office or institution. Not only does it create reputational problems for innocent persons but it has caused huge financial losses for many innocent victims.

Indeed, just a day before the issue came to the fore for discussions, a Member of the House had fallen victim to a doctored image on social media, and made reference to same not knowing it was a doctored piece of mischief  which ostensibly sought to defame another Member of the House.

Over the years, many Members of the House have had cause to complain about how they have been impersonated on social media by criminals who have attempted to use such means to defraud unsuspecting persons.

Perhaps, the criminals behind these acts of fake news, impersonation and disinformation have been successful thus far because as a country, we have been relaxed in implementing our laws against such criminal activities perpetuated by criminally minded misfits.

During the discussions on the challenge and the way forward, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, the Minister-designate for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George was apt in drawing the attention of the House to the fact that some of these platforms are based outside the boundaries of Ghana and even Africa for that matter, therefore there would be the need  for a concerted effort among African states to join forces to tackle the challenge in unison.

Sam Nartey George is right. Some of the companies and individuals that own these social media platforms are themselves wealthier than some individual African countries. Without a united front, it would be  a near-impossibility to hold them to task or for one country to summon an official of the said company  to compel them to sit up to ensure they put stricter measures in place to reduce or completely eradicate such criminal activities.

One can only wish Sam Nartey George and the Ministry he would be handling well in his effort and commitment to find a lasting solution to this menace. He had pledged to push some stricter legislation on the matter.

The New Publisher is impressed that the Member for Klottey Korley, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings found the subject matter worthy of being raised on the Floor.

She herself has a fine understanding of the challenge and suggested some brilliant solutions including capacity building in the area of cyber related issues for law enforcement institutions and even the Judiciary so they are up to date on the new trends, antics and tactics being adopted by the criminals behind such acts.

It is our hope that Members of the House would remain united in tacking this menace with a sense of urgency.