The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, has said that any move by the Police to block all social media outlets in this year's election will be in the interest of the nation.
He is of the view that a ban on all social media platforms will not infringe on people's right as purported by the media but rather will promote peace and ensure a violence-free election.
Supt Cephas Arthur was commenting on remarks by the United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, indicating that the UN would not support the social media ban on Election Day reportedly being considered by Ghana's Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Opting to tread cautiously, Dr. Ibn Chambas who came on a fact-finding mission to Ghana, said during a media engagement that he was expecting to have a meeting with Ghana's top policeman John Kudalor, during which the IGP would clarify reports that a social media ban on election day was being considered.
“I want to be able to hear from the IGP before I jump to any conclusion that a decision has been taken” he emphasised
He, however, added the UN would not support such action. But Supt Cephas Arthur believes the media reported wrongly, the information put out by the IGP during the discussions the Ghana police had with the media.
He opined that a question was posed by one of the journalists on what will be done to prevent social media from spreading falsehood on the Election Day and the IGP responded that, one of the options to use was to consider a ban on social media.
According to him, even though citizens have freedom of movement, “we sometimes restrict you if we think your movement is a threat to others”.
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