Mahama Warns Online Abusers: “We Will Trace You Through Your IP and Deal with You”
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to individuals, including bloggers and vloggers, who spread hate speech or incite violence online, stating that the government will track and prosecute them using advanced technology.
During his first Presidential Media Encounter on Wednesday, September 10, at Jubilee House in Accra, Mahama emphasized that the National Signals Bureau (NSB) now has the capability to trace users via their IP addresses, ensuring accountability under Ghana’s criminal code.
“The National Signals Bureau now has the technology to use your IP number and find you wherever you are,” Mahama said. He specifically targeted those “doing those hate speech and things,” adding, “We’ll use your IP number, we’ll trace you. And when we trace you, we’ll deal with you under the criminal code for inciting violence and disturbance of the peace.”
The President’s remarks come amid rising concerns over online misinformation, harassment, and inflammatory content, particularly from bloggers and vloggers who operate with little oversight. Mahama clarified that while freedom of expression is protected, it does not extend to actions that threaten public order. He noted that the NSB has been granted full authority to monitor and sanction violators, signaling a crackdown on cyber abuse.
This warning aligns with Mahama’s broader “Resetting Ghana Agenda,” which includes regulating digital spaces to combat fake news and hate speech. Earlier, he called for a national dialogue on blogging regulations, which was welcomed by the Bloggers Association of Ghana as a step toward constructive engagement. However, critics, including opposition figures from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have raised concerns about potential threats to free speech.
Mahama’s address also touched on his commitment to press freedom, where he vowed zero tolerance for assaults on journalists, distinguishing between responsible media work and online incitement.
