The 2024 vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known affectionately as NAPO, has condemned the rising use of insults in Ghana’s political discourse.
He said while democracy allows citizens to openly criticise leaders and challenge political ideas, such freedoms should not be used as a justification for personal attacks and abuse.
His comments come after an earlier Facebook post on the NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on Thursday, August 6, attracted several comments attacking and insulting him.
“One of the great strengths of democracy is that it allows us to disagree openly. Citizens must be free to question leaders, challenge political parties and criticise ideas with which they disagree. But disagreement loses its democratic value when it becomes an excuse for abuse,” Dr Opoku Prempeh said.
The former Manhyia South MP said criticism and insults should not be treated as the same.
He argued that constructive criticism can contribute to public debate while insults are often intended to humiliate or silence opponents.
He said the country’s cultural values have traditionally emphasised respect, courtesy and restraint, even when people disagree on issues.
NAPO further cautioned that the growing tendency to attack people instead of engaging their arguments could negatively influence young people and weaken the country’s democratic culture.
“We can disagree firmly without becoming disrespectful. We can challenge public officials without dehumanising them. We can defend our political beliefs without treating those on the other side as enemies,” he stressed.
Dr Opoku Prempeh further stressed that freedom of expression must come with responsibility, urging Ghanaians to promote a political culture where disagreements are settled through ideas rather than personal attacks.
