The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has called on Ghanaians to promote respect and responsibility in political discussions, cautioning against using democratic freedoms as a justification for insults and personal attacks.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 11, Dr Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, said democracy gives citizens the right to question leaders, political parties and policies, but such freedoms must be exercised without undermining the dignity of others.
He stressed that there is a clear distinction between constructive criticism and insults, noting that the former contributes to meaningful public debate while the latter serves mainly to demean and provoke.
“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 over what he described as a growing trend in political discourse where individuals are attacked over their intelligence, appearance or personal background instead of their ideas and positions on national issues.
He warned that such behaviour could have a negative influence on young people who look to political leaders and public figures as examples of how democratic participation should be conducted.
According to him, promoting respectful discourse does not mean shielding leaders and public officials from scrutiny.
“Respect has never meant silence. It has never meant that elders, leaders or public officials are beyond criticism,” he stated.
The former minister said criticism was an unavoidable aspect of public service, but political actors and citizens should be able to challenge opposing views without portraying those who hold different opinions as enemies.
He argued that Ghana’s democratic culture would become stronger when political disagreements are settled through the exchange of ideas and evidence rather than personal attacks.
NAPO further emphasised that freedom of expression must be accompanied by responsibility, urging citizens to defend their political positions while respecting those on the opposing side.
“Democracy requires freedom of expression, but it also requires responsibility of expression,” he added.
