Ghanaian Catholic Priest calls for social media bill to regulate usage

Chaplain of the Holy Family Ghanaian Catholic Community in Italy, Rev. Fr. Albert K. Danso, has called on Ghanaian Parliamentarians to introduce and enforce a Social Media Bill aimed at regulating the usage and conduct of social media users.

In a yet-to-be-published article titled “The Culture of Insult: The Media Cancer of the Youth in Ghana,” Fr. Danso highlights the alarming trend of online insults and defamation that he believes undermines both societal respect and the integrity of political discourse.

Fr. Danso’s appeal comes amid growing concerns about the degradation of public discourse in Ghana, where social media platforms have become breeding grounds for insults and misinformation among other concerns.

“It is rather unfortunate that, in Ghana, this phenomenon is increasingly evident in public discourse, online interactions and even entertainment,” Fr. Danso said.

According to him, this trend does not only erode respect for traditional values but also amplifies tensions within the political sphere.

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The Priest further questioned the current state of journalism in the country. Asking, “And how has journalism become so cheap that anyone with a camera can become one overnight?”

“So, to curb the unprofessionals and the excesses, it is timely for our Parliamentarians to consider a social media bill to regulate the usage and the conduct of users and be enforced by the Ghana Police Service enforcing it as codified by the law,” the priest said.

The call for regulation is driven by Fr. Danso’s concern over the erosion of cultural values, particularly respect for elders. “If not so, who are you as a child or youth to insult an elder, not to talk about the President or a Chief?” he questions. His article points out that the frustration with political and traditional leadership, often due to perceived mismanagement, has led many youth to vent their anger online, engaging in activities that Fr. Danso argues are both disrespectful and damaging.