IGP deserves commendation for disclosing social media ban – Koku Anyidoho

A Deputy General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho says the Inspector General of Police (IGP) must be commended for igniting a debate with the announcement of a possible shut down of social media on election day.

The IGP on Thursday said the Service is considering the decision to ensure order on social media platforms.

But some key stakeholders have since criticized the Police Service , describing the move as repressive.

Koku Anyidoho in a Citi News interview however said the IGP needs to be rather commended for disclosing their intended move ahead of the elections.

“The IGP just put out the issue yesterday and according to what they said, they are doing the analysis and if  it so demands that  decision should be taken in the national interest, it shall be done and communicated to us appropriately.For now no decision has been taken and I think we must commend the IGP for opening up the space for discussion.

“It would have been worse if just on the eve of election everything was shut down….  let us continue the debate. We will not take any hard and fast position against the Police and start calling them names. We all know there is a downside of social media  and there is a history of how social media has been abused,” he argued.

Lawsuit 
In a related development, a private legal practitioner, Ace Ankomah has said the Ghana Police Service risk lawsuit over the possible social media ban on November 7.

He noted that some people can go to court to seek a restraining order to prevent the Police from executing such action.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, Ace Ankomah said banning social media is not the answer for reducing tension in the country during election.

He insisted that such action could be seen as infringing on the rights of citizens.

“The right and freedom of information and communication is absolutely guaranteed and the excuse to it ought to be in accordance with law in a democratic society. So for even considering this the IGP is playing with a possible legal action from restraining it from doing it,” he noted.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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