Sam George says he wanted to shut down Ghana’s internet last week following helicopter crash
The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation (MoCDTI), Samuel Nartey George, has said he considered shutting down the internet in Ghana last week following the fatal helicopter crash.
His reason is that he wanted to stop the circulation of graphic videos before families of the victims were informed.
In a radio interview with Joy FM on Tuesday [August 12, 2025], the Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament said disturbing footages from the scene of the incident was spreading quickly on WhatsApp, a platform beyond government control.
“When the incident happened, I was distraught, but we still had a responsibility to the state. I got a call with the videos that started circulating. The unfortunate situation is most of them were circulating on WhatsApp, and WhatsApp is a platform that is not controlled by any country. It’s a private business,” Mr George said.
“But that also had consequences for news access, emergency communication, and even the economy,” he added
One was to shut down the internet in the country to prevent further spread of the videos, because government had not officially completed communication to the families. Government had not made a formal communication. You had some of the kids who are old enough being online. I was worried about the mental health of those kids and their spouses, and such a tragedy needs to be broken in a certain way
Mr George said the ministry instead worked with the Cyber Security Authority, Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, and Ghana’s telecom operators to limit circulation.
He said the National Communications Authority (NCA) coordinated with MTN, Telecel and AirtelTigo to send more than 30 million text messages within two hours, urging the public to stop sharing the images. The telecom companies absorbed the entire cost of the alert.
"IMPORTANT ALERT- We have become aware of videos and photos circulating on social media of a helicopter crash and the burning bodies of some victims. We ask that out of respect to the individuals involved, circulation of these videos and photos should stop immediately, and all copies deleted. We count on your co-operation. Our prayers are with the families and friends of those impacted - MoCDTI"
He said Meta removed much of the content from Facebook and Instagram but could not delete encrypted messages on WhatsApp.
He criticised some traditional media outlets for airing graphic scenes, describing it as a breach of professional ethics, and urged greater sensitivity in reporting tragedies.
The minister said the incident showed the need for updated digital laws, adding that planned amendments to the Electronic Communications Act will include provisions drawn from the Ghana Journalists Association’s code of ethics to protect the privacy and dignity of grieving families.
