‘It was just a joke’ –social media user on video to kill police officers, burn Prez’s house

A social media user, Bless Kojo Amedegbe, who rallied the public to kill police officers and burn the President’s house, says the video was just a joke.

The 24-year old private security officer said he recorded the video during the lockdown and regretted his actions.

He said he has since recorded a disclaimer to right the wrong.
“It is a funny [comedy] video. After that, I did a disclaimer to show that it was just a ….,” Bless said in a video after he was picked up national security.

With the national security personnel informing him that he was headed to court, Bless who appeared remorseful said he was sorry.

Seeking to hide behind political colours, he said he was a New Patriotic Party (NPP) saying “I am an NPP guy, I am begging you.”

But the security personnel were quick to rebuff the claim, saying “we don’t do politics here” and asked if he should go scot-free because of that.

In an attempt to calm the waters, he told the security personnel that his brother had seen the video and warned him that his action would put him in trouble.c

“I deleted it and even apologised. Boss I beg,” he said while pleading with security personnel who would not listen to the pleas.

“It has already caused trouble. Move to the car. You have been apprehended.
Bless is the first person to be arrested for spreading fake news about coronavirus, urging the public to kill police officers and burn the President’s house.

Under Ghana’s Electronic Communication Act, persons who spread fake news are liable for fines up to GHc 36,000 and or prison terms.

Even before the 2020 polls, the spread of fake news in social media circles has been rife. Criminals have impersonated government officials with numerous fake accounts to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

Cybercrime has also been a challenge for the law enforcement agencies as culprits find ways to outwit crime-fighting agencies.

In February this yea, Issues about internet security took the spotlight during the freedom online conference in Accra held in Ghana.

At the conference, the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, revealed that the government would not hesitate to intervene to curtail abuse of the internet.
Even though it is not part of the agenda of the government to regulate internet usage in the country, the Member of Parliament (MP) said the state would be compelled to act if the trend did not reverse.

Her comments come on the back of the misuse of social media and internet-based nefarious activities.

As the coronavirus epidemic reaches the African, experts warned that false information is spreading faster than the virus itself. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against the consequences of a malicious “infodemic.”

With elections around the corner, in Ghana, there is growing public concern about the spread of fake news which experts fear could plunge the country in chaos.