The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has urged Ghanaians to uphold respect and responsibility in political discourse, warning against using democratic freedoms to justify insults and personal attacks.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 11, Dr Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, said democracy allows citizens to challenge leaders, political parties and ideas, but such criticism must not undermine the dignity of those being criticised.
“Criticism and insult are not the same. Criticism identifies what is wrong and can help us think about what must improve. Insult seeks only to humiliate, provoke or silence. One strengthens public debate. The other weakens it” he said.
NAPO expressed concern that political discussions were increasingly focused on attacking individuals based on their intelligence, appearance or background rather than engaging with the issues they raise.
He warned that such conduct could negatively influence young people who look to political leaders as examples of democratic engagement.
“Respect has never meant silence. It has never meant that elders, leaders or public officials are beyond criticism,” he stated.
According to him, criticism is an inevitable part of public service, but political actors and citizens must learn to challenge opposing views without treating those who hold them as enemies.
NAPO stated that Ghana’s democratic culture would be strengthened when political disagreements are resolved through robust ideas rather than personal attacks.
He emphasised that freedom of expression must go hand in hand with responsibility, urging Ghanaians to defend their political views while respecting those of the opposing side.
“Democracy requires freedom of expression, but it also requires responsibility of expression,” he added.
Source: Citi
