Ghana’s Signals Bureau, the country’s lead technical intelligence agency, has issued a stern warning to individuals who use social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook to disseminate false information, saying violators will face swift legal consequences as the agency boosts surveillance capabilities.
“We will come after you, no matter where you are,” said Dr. George Atta Boateng, Director General of the Signals Bureau, during the inauguration of a new operations facility in Koforidua on Wednesday. “It used to take us 24 hours to track such activities. Today, it’s down to 12. Our records speak for themselves.”
The remarks come amid growing concerns over the role of social media in fueling public disorder through the spread of disinformation. The new facility, according to officials, is part of a broader effort to modernize Ghana’s national security apparatus through the use of advanced analytics and real-time monitoring.
Dr. Boateng emphasized the Bureau’s expanded mandate to detect and neutralize online threats, particularly those designed to incite unrest or destabilize public order. He urged citizens to fact-check content before sharing it online, noting that deliberate misinformation is now considered a national security threat.
The upgraded Signals Bureau center will serve as a central node in the country’s security intelligence network, enabling faster identification of potential threats through enhanced data integration and signal monitoring capabilities.
Speaking alongside Dr. Boateng, National Security Coordinator COP Osman Abdul Razak disclosed that more than 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been deployed nationwide. The Eastern Region, he said, will be pivotal in the next phase of Ghana’s surveillance infrastructure expansion.
“The data and capabilities generated by this asset will be analyzed right here in this facility,” COP Abdul Razak said. “Koforidua is now a critical part of our national security architecture.”
The Signals Bureau, a key division under Ghana’s national security structure, is leveraging roaming cell towers and AI-enabled systems to track digital activity more efficiently. Officials say the moves are aimed not only at combating cyber threats but also deterring real-world crime, as the country navigates an increasingly complex security landscape.
While civil society groups have previously raised concerns about overreach in digital surveillance, government officials maintain that the focus remains squarely on actors who exploit social media platforms to spread disinformation with the intent to incite.
“We’re not here to monitor free speech,” Dr. Boateng said. “But we will not allow technology to be used as a weapon against public order.”
