The Role Of Social Media In Shaping Public Perception Of The Police In Ghana: Exploring Opportunities And Threats

Abstract

This study explores how social media is reshaping the way people in Ghana view the Ghana Police Service (GPS), paying close attention to both the new possibilities it creates and the challenges it introduces. The research focused on residents of the Greater Accra Region, using a combination of stratified and convenience sampling to capture the voices of everyday social media users. A total of 200 survey respondents and 15 purposively selected interview participants contributed their experiences, opinions, and reflections. Their insights revealed that platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and WhatsApp have become powerful spaces where perceptions of policing are formed often long before official accounts of an incident are released. Viral videos, shared personal encounters, spontaneous commentary, and emotionally charged narratives all play a role in shaping how people judge the police. While many participants acknowledged that social media offers a meaningful way for the police to communicate, show transparency, and build trust, they also expressed concerns about misinformation, politicised narratives, and the speed at which negative stories spread online. Overall, the study shows that digital engagement is no longer optional for modern policing; rather, the GPS must embrace proactive communication, timely responses, and stronger digital literacy to build credibility and foster healthier police community relations in today’s highly connected society.