The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has voiced strong concerns over aspects of the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, warning that certain provisions could endanger press freedom and free expression if the bill is passed without proper 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 GJA supports government’s efforts to enhance Ghana’s cybersecurity framework. However, he stressed that such reforms must balance national security interests with constitutional rights.
“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,” Mr. Dwumfuor stated.
He urged lawmakers not to rush the amendment process, cautioning that poor drafting could worsen the cybersecurity environment and restrict legitimate journalistic work. “If what the amendment seeks to cure will worsen the cyber ecosystem, then we must tread cautiously,” he added.
The GJA President emphasized that the media remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy, serving as a watchdog for accountability and transparency. He warned that any attempt to limit press freedom under the pretext of cybersecurity reform could undermine public trust and democratic governance.
Mr. Dwumfuor reaffirmed the Association’s unwavering commitment to defending media freedoms, saying, “The GJA and the media will always seek to protect these guaranteed rights and ensure that they are not taken from us.”
He further urged Parliament to engage journalists, civil society organisations, digital rights advocates, and technology experts in reviewing the bill to ensure that the final law promotes responsible online behaviour while safeguarding fundamental freedoms.
The Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to update Ghana’s digital security framework, strengthen regulatory oversight, and align the country’s systems with international cybersecurity standards. However, sections of the media, minority legislators, and civil society groups have raised concerns that the proposed changes could be misused to intimidate journalists and silence dissent.
