Ghana’s Communications Ministry has been working on a law against misinformation and disinformation. Here is what it would do, what the government has promised, and what critics worry about.
What the bill would do
According to the Ministry, the National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill would strengthen legal safeguards against the deliberate creation and spread of false or harmful digital content, give statutory bodies a clear enforcement framework, and support accountability, public trust and digital literacy, especially around elections and public emergencies.
Timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 2025 | Minister Samuel Nartey George first flags the legislation in Parliament |
| July 2025 | Minister says the bill is ready to be laid before Parliament in its next session |
| September 2025 | Ministry says it will present the bill in the coming weeks, alongside hate speech provisions |
We did not find a report confirming that it has been laid or passed as of October 2026. Check Parliament’s order paper for the latest.
The promises
The minister has said the law “will not clamp down on freedom of expression” and will not cover criticism of government.
The concerns
- Who decides what is “false”?
- Could the law be used against journalists, activists or opposition voices?
- How will it protect satire, opinion and honest mistakes?
These questions will be answered by the actual wording of the bill, so watch for the text when it is laid.
Meanwhile: how to spot misinformation
- Check whether trusted outlets report the same story.
- Look for the original source (an official statement, document or video).
- Be wary of screenshots without links, and of AI-generated videos of public figures. See AI voice and deepfake scams.
- Use fact-checkers like GhanaFact.
This explainer reflects reporting up to October 2026. We will update it when there is official news.
This guide was checked in October 2026. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.
Common questions
Is the misinformation bill law?
No. We found no report that it has been passed. The latest reports describe it as being prepared for, or ready to be laid before, Parliament.
What would it cover?
The deliberate creation and spread of false or harmful information, with an enforcement framework for statutory bodies, according to the Communications Ministry.
Will it punish criticism of government?
The minister has said it will not cover criticism of government and will respect freedom of expression.
What are the penalties?
Penalties have not been published in the reports we reviewed. They will be in the bill text when it is laid.
