Political parties will meet with the Peace Council to discuss coarse language
In response to the recent use of foul language by political actors, the National Peace Council (NPC) will meet with the leaders of all political parties.
The Council stated that it was concerned about recent statements made by some political actors and that the meeting would strengthen the peace pledges made by the political parties prior to the 2024 election.
Reverend Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, NPC, stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the Council had received “a lot of footages” regarding some statements made by various political actors and was working to resolve the issues.
The statements, he claimed, “are not good for us,” and he advised political figures to “stay within their mandate” and use decorum in their speech.
Political parties need to recognise that this is the only country we have and that they must play within the boundaries that we have established for ourselves. remarked Rev. Adu-Gyamfi.
Recent public indignation has been caused by some remarks made by Mr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi.
Speaking to New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters on Saturday in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Mr. Acheampong reportedly declared that the NPP would do everything in its power to maintain its hold on power and would not cede power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Since then, the NDC has demanded Mr. Acheampong’s detention, while the NPP has defended him and labelled the “attack” on the agriculture minister “unwarranted.”
“Elections are decided at the polls, so how do you annul them? It is impossible. We are done once the constituency election has been verified.
Therefore, the general people should just discard such items. We are worried about these claims nevertheless, so the parties must come back in touch. remarked Rev. Adu-Gyamfi.
Intemperate language used by political figures in the public dialogue should not be highlighted by the media, he pleaded with them.
The Council warned that drawing attention to such utterances could encourage the offenders and jeopardise the nation’s arduously fought-for democracy and peaceful coexistence.
“The media ought to occasionally practise self-censorship. We don’t need to draw attention to certain items since they cause unneeded anxiety. remarked Rev. Adu-Gyamfi.