Facebook has removed posts about The Fourth Estate‘s latest exposé, which sheds light on a scramble by certain government officials and politically exposed persons to mine in Ghana’s forest reserves.
The Fourth Estate, in its recent investigative report, named several government officials and members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) who are allegedly using their companies to mine in protected forest reserves. These activities threaten not only the forests but also some critical water bodies across the country.
Among the named officials are Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi; Kumasi Mayor Sam Pyne; and the NPP’s 2024 Parliamentary candidate for Juaben, Francis Owusu-Akyaw. The report indicates that while many of these officials publicly champion environmental sustainability and participate in tree-planting initiatives, their companies are simultaneously engaging in practices that endanger forest reserves.
The exposé has sparked outrage among concerned citizens, many of whom took to Facebook to express their discontent over the alleged involvement of these officials. However, these individuals soon discovered that their posts were being removed or blocked by Facebook for reportedly violating the platform’s “community standards.”
“Posts about the exposé keep getting removed, and it’s frustrating. We’re just sharing what’s happening, and Facebook is pulling it down,” one Facebook user lamented. Another added, “This looks like an attempt to silence us. It’s suspicious how quickly posts about this exposé are being flagged.”
In response to the removals, some social media users have speculated that the government might be involved in censoring the posts. “It feels like there’s more at play here. The timing of the takedowns suggests someone doesn’t want this information circulating,” one user noted.
The Fourth Estate’s investigation has added fuel to the growing debate over the protection of Ghana’s forest reserves. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the irreversible damage these mining activities could have on the ecosystem, and this report has further highlighted the involvement of high-profile political figures.
For now, Ghanaians continue to share the exposé on various social media platforms despite the hurdles, raising the question of whether Facebook’s actions were purely algorithmic or influenced by external factors. Facebook has yet to officially respond to the situation.
The removal of these posts has raised issues surrounding freedom of speech and transparency, particularly regarding the actions of government officials and politically connected individuals.
