- Communications Minister Sam George nearly shut down Ghana’s internet
- Meta was contacted directly to address video spread on WhatsApp
- Concerned about victims' families seeing graphic footage before official notice
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has disclosed that he nearly ordered a nationwide internet blackout to stop the circulation of distressing videos following the tragic August 6 helicopter crash.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. George described the aftermath as a “mixed experience” and commended telecom operators — MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo — for their swift cooperation.
“I want to thank the telecom companies. The coverage of the tragedy felt mixed, but their response was commendable,” he said.
He expressed concern over how graphic footage of the crash victims quickly spread on social media, particularly WhatsApp, a platform beyond government regulation.
“When I got the call and saw those videos, I was deeply troubled. WhatsApp is private and not governed by any nation, which made it difficult to control the spread,” he explained.
Faced with the situation, Mr. George said he weighed two major options.
“One was to shut down the internet nationwide to prevent the videos from spreading, especially since the families of the victims hadn’t yet been fully informed. I was very concerned about the psychological toll on the children and spouses of those affected,” he said.
However, he acknowledged the broader consequences such a move could trigger.
“Shutting the internet would have disrupted access to information, possibly causing more panic and confusion than the videos themselves. So, we chose a different path.”
Instead, he launched a coordinated response involving both local and global partners.
“I reached out to Meta, activated our point of contact there, and spoke directly with some senior executives. They promised to look into the issue, especially given their control over WhatsApp,” he revealed.
Mr. George also engaged local telecom operators through the National Communications Authority (NCA).
“I contacted the NCA and personally called all three telecom CEOs. Within two hours, we sent out 30 million text messages urging the public to refrain from sharing the videos — all at the cost of the telecom companies, not the government,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing that the public restraint campaign was fully funded and executed by the telecom sector in collaboration with the NCA and his ministry.
