Buhari’s aide misfires as Twitter picks Ghana as African HQ

April 12, 2021
78 Views

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

NIGERIANS have taken to social media to make their opinions known after social networking service, Twitter, decided to make Ghana its African headquarters

Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey, revealed on Monday that it had finally set up an office in Africa and it would be in Ghana.

“Twitter is now present on the continent. Thank you Ghana and President Nana Akufo-Addo,” he tweeted.

Reacting, Ghana’s President thanked Twitter for its decision, adding that he had met with Dorsey and he was confident the move would be the beginning of new things.

Akufo-Addo tweeted, “The choice of Ghana as HQ for Twitter’s Africa operations is excellent news. The government and Ghanaians welcome very much this announcement and the confidence reposed in our country.”

The development, however, caused a series of reactions on Twitter which is believed to be the most radical social network.

The current regime led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has in recent time sought stiffer penalties for persons who “misuse social media”.

The Senate is currently deliberating on Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill 2019 commonly known as the Anti-social media bill.

It seeks to criminalise the use of the social media in peddling false or malicious information. It was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Musa, a member of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress.

Another member of the President’s party, Adamu Garba, had last year sued Twitter for supporting the #EndSARS protests, but he later withdrew the case.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Garba tweeted, “I pray Ghanaians would not allow their country to be used as a platform for the orchestration of nuisance on the African internet space.

Nigeria is safer with the hypocrisy of Twitter. We shall have to improve on our methods for elimination of fake news on the information space.

“They just hate Nigeria because they know that the only country that can be the next African super power, fully democratic, highly mobile population and good working age population is Nigeria

“Twitter came to Ghana to target Nigerian market. They won’t admit they need us, but we know.”

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Oke Umurhohwo tweeted, “Another Big L for Nigeria who despite having the biggest active social media users, we got overlooked for Ghana. This is obviously because of the anti-business policies of APC and Buhari. Shameful!”

@ananabannamdi tweeted, “Largely based on textbook definition, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and probably the largest social media engaging ecosystem in Africa as well. Sadly, the nature of political hijacking, state capture, bad governance and more decadence has made us chop another “L” again!”

“But Jack, Nigeria has one of the biggest Twitter presence in Africa. Don’t worry, FG will make ease of doing business much better,” @Morris_Monye tweeted.

However, Buhari’s aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, downplayed the development, saying Facebook had also announced that it would be opening an office in Lagos.

“Ghana got Twitter, Nigeria got Facebook (operational H2 2021). God be praised. Let’s be happy for each other. Not everything is fight, dears. Ghana, congratulations,” he tweeted.

Facebook’s African headquarters is in South Africa.

 Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

You may be interested

It Is Unfortunate You Eventually Died — Soludo’s Wife Reacts to Actor Amaechi Muonagor’s Death, Recounts Their Encounter
News
News

It Is Unfortunate You Eventually Died — Soludo’s Wife Reacts to Actor Amaechi Muonagor’s Death, Recounts Their Encounter

Webby - March 25, 2024

By Izunna Okafor, Awka The wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo has mourned the passing of the legendary…

137 Rescued School Children Arrive Kaduna Govt House (Photos)
News
1 views
News
1 views

137 Rescued School Children Arrive Kaduna Govt House (Photos)

Webby - March 25, 2024

 The school students who were rescued by troops on Sunday, after they were kidnapped from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area,…

I Won Hands Down – Bobrisky Speaks On Best Dressed Female Award
News
1 views
News
1 views

I Won Hands Down – Bobrisky Speaks On Best Dressed Female Award

Webby - March 25, 2024

Controversial Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, has taken to social media to boast about his recent award. Recall that…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.