Sam George Catches Heat After Admitting to Considering Internet Shutdown Over Helicopter Crash
- Communications Minister Sam George said he considered a nationwide internet shutdown to stop the sharing of graphic videos from the helicopter crash
- The minister was criticised online for making this admission during an interview on Joy FM
- George admitted that there would have been a negative ripple effect that would be much worse than the sharing of videos
Sam George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, is facing criticism after revealing he was considering an internet shutdown to halt the circulation of videos from the August 6 helicopter crash site.
George told Joy FM he was presented with two options following the crash.
Source: Facebook
"I was faced as minister of communications with two options. One was to shut down the internet in the county to prevent further spread of the video [from the crash site].”
"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.”
However, the minister admitted that there would have been a negative ripple effect that would be much worse.
He also noted that the Cyber Security Authority reached out to Meta. He also made personal calls to people at Meta.
George's comments sparked some criticism online, given the implication of a shutdown.
Some observers felt it was poor judgment to share this information publicly.
Critics also said the reasons given did not justify an internet shutdown.
"The internet is not primarily for social media. Healthcare and life support systems run on it, one Twitter user, Yaw Asamoah-Adu, noted.
Opoku Agyapong acknowledged the unfortunate context but maintained that "this doesn't make sense."
What happened in the Ghana army helicopter crash?
The tragic August 6, 2025, helicopter crash killed eight people, including two ministers.
Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed were killed when the helicopter they were travelling in went down in the Adansi Akrofuom district.
The helicopter the officials were travelling in crashed into a dense forest as it was flying from Accra to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.
The other civilians who died in the crash were former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru and National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, while the army personnel who died in the crash were Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala and Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu.
NCA moves to suspend DSTV
YEN.com.gh reported that the National Communications has moved to suspend MultiChoice Ghana's operating licence due to its refusal to lower DSTV subscription prices.
The dispute arose after the Minister for Communication, Samuel Nartey George, called for a 30% price reduction.
MultiChoice Ghana rejected the proposal, claiming the minister's demand was untenable.
Source: YEN.com.gh
