Ghana's Crackdown on Critics Sparks Free Speech Fears After 14 Arrests

In the past 16 months, Ghana has seen 14 arrests linked to the spread of false news, raising alarms over the state of free speech under President John Dramani Mahama. Critics and human rights groups argue that these detentions are being used to silence dissent, as many of those arrested are government critics or opposition figures. The arrests have provoked widespread concern both domestically and internationally, with observers warning that the crackdown could undermine Ghana's reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa. Authorities, however, maintain that the actions are necessary to combat misinformation and protect national security.