The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has raised serious concerns over parts of the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, cautioning that some provisions could undermine press freedom and free expression if passed without broader consultation.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 3, to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Mr. Dwumfuor said the Association supports the government’s efforts to strengthen Ghana’s cybersecurity laws but insists the process must protect fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution.

“We call for broad engagement, public consultation, and education to fine-tune the bill to ensure that every sector directly impacted understands and makes the needed input in the public interest,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfuor warned that rushing the amendment process could have unintended consequences for media freedom and democratic accountability. “If what the amendment seeks to cure will worsen the cyber ecosystem, then we must tread cautiously,” he added.

The GJA President stressed that the media remains an indispensable pillar of Ghana’s democracy and cautioned that any attempt to restrict journalistic work under the guise of cybersecurity reform would erode transparency and accountability.

“The GJA and the media will always seek to protect these guaranteed rights and ensure that they are not taken from us,” he reaffirmed.

Mr. Dwumfuor urged Parliament to engage journalists, civil society organisations, digital rights advocates, and technology experts before passing the bill, to ensure it promotes responsible digital behaviour without compromising free expression.

The Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is expected to address emerging online threats, strengthen regulatory oversight, and align Ghana’s digital governance with international standards.

However, several civil society organisations, sections of the media, and the Minority in Parliament have expressed fears that the proposed amendments could be used to stifle dissent and target journalists or citizens critical of government actions.