The arrest and prosecution of a political activist over a social media post have reignited debates around digital speech and freedom of expression in Ghana.
Mohammed Zakou, an activist aligned with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been granted bail by the Achimota Circuit Court after being charged with communicating false information concerning Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Zakou was picked up by officers from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on Saturday, April 12, after publishing a cryptic Facebook post stating “Rest Well Her Excellency” alongside crying emojis. Authorities interpreted the message as a false implication of the Vice President’s death, at a time when she had been publicly reported to be unwell.
While the post sparked confusion and concern online, Zakou reportedly told investigators that the post was a message of goodwill, not an announcement of death.
Appearing in court on Monday, April 14, Zakou’s legal team, led by Gary Nimako Marfo, successfully secured bail for their client. The prosecution did not oppose the application, though it requested safeguards to ensure Zakou’s compliance with the legal process.
The presiding judge granted bail to the tune of GHC 100,000 with two sureties, and ordered that Zakou report weekly to the investigator. The matter has been adjourned to May 12, 2025, for a case management conference.
The case has drawn mixed reactions on social media and among civil society, with some defending the state’s interest in curbing misinformation, while others view the prosecution as an overreach—raising concerns about the criminalisation of online expression in Ghana’s increasingly digital political space.
As the case proceeds, many will be watching closely to see whether the judiciary strikes a balance between state security and individual rights to free speech in the digital age.
