The proposed Cyber Security Amendment Bill does not seek to reintroduce the repealed Criminal Libel law, Inusah Fuseini, a former Member of Parliament, has stated.
He avers the new law, in its form, does not include any provisions that seeks to reintroduce the old law that’s no more in existence.
He explains that once a law is repealed, it cannot be revived unless there is a new law that contains its provisions.
According to him, he has not seen anything in the amendment draft indicating the current draft is attempting to bring back the criminal libel.
“Once a law is repealed, it is repealed. If you want even a provision of the repealed law back, you have to incorporate it into the new law, and I don’t see any new provision in this draft that suggests to me there is an attempt to bring back criminal libel,” he said on Citi FM Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Mr. Fuseini’s comments come on the back of debate that has arisen out of the Cyber Security amendment draft bill that aims to regulate online speech.
Critics, including members of the Minority in Parliament, have warned that the proposal could criminalise free expression and allow government control over digital communication.
The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, recently described the document as a reflection of the government’s intention to control online activity, even though it has not yet been formally presented to Parliament.
He noted that statements from the President and the Minister of Communication lend credibility to the circulating document.
Similarly, the MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has cautioned that the proposed Cyber Security Amendment Bill could threaten Ghana’s democracy.
He argued that using criminal laws to regulate speech could be abused by future governments and urged that such measures be replaced with civil remedies.
Despite the concerns raised, Inusah Fuseini maintains that fears of reviving criminal libel are misplaced, emphasising that no such provision exists in the draft currently under discussion.
