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Ghanaians have been cautioned against the use of hate speech before, during and after the December 7 general election.
The President of the Queen Mothers Association of Ghana, Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, who made the call, said the words used in political conversations and communication had the potential to make or break the nation, therefore, the need to be circumspect in what they say.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign against hate speech in Accra on Wednesday under the theme, ‘Decency in Politics,’ she reminded Ghanaians about their rights to free speech but said those rights comes with responsibilities.
“We must engage in constructive dialogue, exchange ideas respectfully, and focus on the issues that unite us rather than those that divide us,” Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu stressed.
The Queen Mothers President said political leaders had the power to influence millions of voters and others, and must preach peace, hope and progress, adding that, “we understand that elections are competitive, but no election is worth the cost of our national unity.
As leaders, we must lead by example, showing that political differences need not create enmity,’’ she outlined.
The president of the Queenmothers Association urged the media to be the vanguard of peace by reporting facts and accurate news.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, asked Ghanaians not to allow political differences to disunite them.
He stated that democracy thrived when the people embrace all shades of opinions, regardless of their social and political interests.
Mr Agyeman encouraged debate on issues affecting the lives of Ghanaians such as healthcare, education, economic growth, and development.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Television, Mr Amankwaa Agyeman, also said politics should be a platform for dialogue, not a battleground for insults.
“We believe that our decency, polices, is not merely an idol, it is a necessity. It is about ensuring that our citizens hold value and that our political leaders set the standard for respectful engagement,” he said.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).s
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