By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has cautioned content creators and political commentators against hiding behind democratic freedoms to engage in personal attacks.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Dr Opoku Prempeh said the language used in political and public discourse reflects the kind of society Ghanaians are collectively building.
The former Manhyia South Member of Parliament, popularly known as NAPO, stressed that although the Constitution protects the right to dissent, freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly.
His comments come amid growing concerns over controversial online behaviour and legal actions involving social media users and content creators in Ghana.
Speaking on standards in public communication, Dr Opoku Prempeh drew a distinction between legitimate political criticism and malicious insults.
“Criticism and insult are not the same,”
NAPO explained that criticism helps identify systemic failures and contributes to national development, while insults are intended to humiliate or silence opponents.
He expressed concern that toxic rhetoric on digital platforms could negatively influence younger people who consume content on platforms such as TikTok daily.
Dr Opoku Prempeh urged citizens to uphold traditional Ghanaian values of respect and restraint, arguing that political differences should be resolved through the exchange of ideas rather than character assassination.
NAPO’s comments come at a time of heightened scrutiny of social media conduct in Ghana, with law enforcement agencies increasingly focusing on digital content creators accused of breaching public order or engaging in unlawful communication.
Several high-profile cases involving social media personalities have sparked a national debate over the limits of online expression and the responsibilities that come with using digital platforms.
While civil society groups and opposition actors have raised concerns about the proportionality of some arrests and prosecutions, state security agencies maintain that social media platforms are not exempt from the law.
NAPO reiterated that a healthy democracy requires citizens to defend their political views while respecting the dignity of others and upholding the rule of law.
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