The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has expressed deep concern over a rising pattern of arrests and detentions of bloggers and activists in Ghana under the pretext of combating “false news.”

The civil society organisation warned that the trend undermines freedom of expression and threatens the country’s democratic gains.

In a statement on Wednesday, the MFWA highlighted the recent arrest of Democracy Hub activist Wendell Nana Yaw Yeboah as a disturbing example.

Yeboah was detained on November 26, 2025, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) following a petition from the Ashanti Democrats alleging he had made unsubstantiated claims linking three Regional Ministers to illegal mining activities.

The MFWA noted that Yeboah had already issued a formal retraction and apology on November 18, admitting the claims were unsubstantiated. Despite this, authorities proceeded with his arrest.

Other similar cases include blogger Samuel Amadotor, arrested on November 20 after a complaint from a former National Communications Authority official, and Bono Regional NPP Chairman Kwame Baffoe, detained in September over comments critical of the Inspector General of Police.

In August, Wontumi TV presenter Akyemkwaa Nana Kofi Asare was abducted by unidentified men and later found at the Police Headquarters in Accra after making controversial statements linking President John Mahama to a fatal military helicopter crash.

TikTok content creators Fante Comedy and Akosua Jollof were also arrested over comments made during a live session about the same crash.

“These incidents reflect a worrying trend where state security apparatus, including the police and National Security, are deployed to intimidate critics rather than protect public peace,” the MFWA said.

The organisation criticised the continued application of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Section 76 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), referring to them as the “Twin Laws” that survive the repealed Criminal Libel Law.

Analysts have warned that these provisions are being used arbitrarily to target dissenting voices.

While the government’s proposed Misinformation, Disinformation, Hate Speech and Publication of Other Information (MDHI) Bill, 2025, seeks to repeal the “twin laws,” the MFWA argued that the new legislation risks reintroducing similar restrictions under broad definitions of “hate speech.”

The MFWA called for immediate action, urging the authorities to drop criminal charges against all victims, ensure full constitutional rights for those in custody, and prioritise civil remedies over custodial punishment in speech-related cases.

It also urged legislative reform, recommending the repeal of Section 208 and Section 76 and a thorough review of the MDHI Bill to reinforce non-criminal pathways for resolving disputes.

“Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of media freedom in Africa is under threat. The nation cannot claim to champion free expression while arbitrary arrests for speech offences continue,” the MFWA stated.

The organisation stressed that civil remedies, such as rejoinders, arbitration by the National Media Commission, or civil defamation suits, remain sufficient for addressing reputational disputes without undermining citizens’ liberty.