Dec 7 polls: Social media ban not solution – Bombande

The deputy foreign affairs minister-designate, Emmanuel Bombande has advised against a social media ban in the country on the day of the elections.

The Inspector General of Police had announced that his outfit was considering shutting down social media services in the country on December 7, to counter the activities of persons who might compromise security efforts ahead of the polls.

Mr. Bombande, who took his turn at the ministerial vetting on Friday, admitted that social media has its downsides, with several users engaging in “irresponsible” activities on the platform.

However, he believes that the police would be better served focusing on the benefits that could be accrued from the use of social media services in the country.

“I would not advise that we shut down social media but that does not mean in my advise that I do not recognize the potential danger it presents. I'm looking more at the potential benefits. What we need to do is to establish the mechanism that makes the use of social media a tool of more responsibility, that's on all of us rather than shut it down,” he said

According to the former executive director of the West African Network for Peace building (WANEP), shutting down social media on election day will send out a wrong signal to people who use it irresponsibly.

He stated that shutting it on one day only to lift the ban the next day would encourage such persons to persist with their actions.

“When you shut it down and later you open it you are indirectly telling people to continue to be irresponsible. There is a wondrous responsibility on all of us that every tool that is available should be used responsibly. What that means is that our re-humanisation as a people, as Ghanaians, rooted in our traditional values and cultures, of respect for our leaders, right down to all levels particularly amongst our young people and that is what begins to make the transformation and takes them away from the irresponsible use of social media.”

We’ll shut down social media if…

The police chief had stated that, his outfit was considering shutting down social media services in the country on election day as the abuse of social media platforms by both political parties and ordinary Ghanaians has often created unnecessary tension in the country.

He believed that given the strain that preparations towards the elections have put on the country's security apparatus, it would be unwise to ignore the potential of social media as an incendiary point for violence.

“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,” John Kudalor said at the time.

Shutdown only a last option
The Communications Director of the Police, Cephas Arthur, said that the police were only considering a social media blackout as a last resort as part of security measures ahead of the elections.

Several media outlets last Tuesday, reported that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, had reiterated his stance on a social media shutdown in the country.

However, Cephas Arthur, insists that the police had not decided to shut down social media and that the IGP’s comments had been misinterpreted.

He stated that the IGP was only recounting his initial comments which has caused so much controversy

Social media shutdown a threat to democracy
The IGP’s comments generated widespread criticism from the general public who felt such an action would represent suppression of freedom of speech.

Several bodies including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), the Alliance for Accountable Governance, BloggingGhana, and  PenPlusBytes criticized the Police Chief’s words describing the idea as ‘undemocratic.

The United Nations also waded into the debate, stating that it would be opposed to any move to block social media services in the country.

The special representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas said: “I should say without hesitation that from a UN point of view, we would be obviously averse to any steps that will amount to restricting the democratic space, particularly any steps that will be taken to restrict the freedom of expression.”

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana