COVID-19: Agents of fake news will face the law-Oppong Nkrumah

The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has stated that persons who spread fake news on coronavirus (COVID-19) to cause fear and panic will be punished.
He warned persons who engage in such acts, stating that they will not be excused for spreading fake news with the explanation that they were ignorant of the authenticity of the information being shared.
According to him, “Fake News Is Punishable Under Ghanaian Law Section 76, Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775): (1) A person who by means of electronic communications service, knowingly sends a communication which is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person, … commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than [thirty six thousand Ghana Cedis] or to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or both.”
He also stated that,”(2) A person is taken to know that a communication is false or misleading if that person did not take reasonable steps to find out whether the communication was false, misleading, reckless or fraudulent.”
Meanwhile, he urged those who seek information on the updates of COVID-19 to verify from the Ghana Health Service website in order to be sure before they spread any news.
“In these challenging times, please consider this law before you forward fake news on Whatsapp, IG, Facebook, etc. You may be held personally liable for forwarding that message. Your service provider may easily escape the net without blame,” he added.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori