The Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, has expressed shock over reports that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) still stands by his decision to ban social media.
Superintendent Cephas Arthur speaking on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ on Wednesday said the IGP cannot ban social media on the Election Day since the IGP lacks the power to.
“We won’t ban social media on the Election Day because police have no power to ban social media…the truth is that the IGP has no power to ban social media…,” he said.
Media reports indicated that the IGP during a meeting with journalists in the Eastern Region said that he still stands by an earlier decision to ban social media on the day for the polls.
IGP COP John Kudalor in his earlier comment indicated that "At one stage I was even saying that if it becomes critical on the eve and the Election Day we shall block all social media as other countries have done. So we are thinking about it."
In a later interview, he said “If people are churning out the type of information which are quite false then why not? The security of this nation is paramount.”
Despite the criticisms, the IGP believes blocking social media is unavoidable if it will mar the elections.
The IGP, in an interaction with the Eastern Regional Police command as part of a visit to the region, says he still stands by his decision to place a ban on social media on election day if need be.
“Social media has been used to spread a lot of half-truths, half-baked information and lies… We shall recommend to our principal that social media is banned…and I still stand by that," Mr Kudalor said.
“Let us be responsible during the elections. Social media should not be used to create any fear, panic and tension,” he stressed.
But this discussion, Cephas Arthur said has been construed as the IGP lacks the power to ban social media.
He said the police would rather lead a public education that the social media should not be used for unnecessary things especially on Election Day.
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