NPP Public Affairs Director Richard Ahiagba has defended the individuals’s proper to specific their views freely and warned that Ghana should reject what he known as the rising “politics of insult”.
Talking on Pleasure Information’ PM Specific on Tuesday, he argued that the controversy surrounding current feedback by political appointees raises deeper considerations about democratic tradition and tolerance of dissent.
“We’ve to have a broader dialog concerning the politics of insult, as a result of attacking or belittling somebody merely for expressing your opinion is what this drawback is about,” he stated.
His feedback got here within the wake of public backlash over feedback extensively seen as disrespectful of individuals’s proper to contribute to the general public debate.
Whereas the incident prompted an emotional apology from the chief of employees, Ahiagba stated the event mirrored widespread public rejection of such habits.
“If we wish to obtain the standard of governance that we wish from democratic processes…we should interact in a dialogue that prioritizes concepts that permit residents to return to the sector and share their views,” he pressured.
Ahiagba famous that the chief of employees’s public apology was vital, suggesting that even the best ranges of presidency have been conscious of the issue.
“To the extent that the Chief of Employees himself needed to take the microphone and apologize…this reveals how all of us Ghanaians reject the politics of insult,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he insisted that an apology alone was not sufficient. He stated there have to be accountability for Ghana to attract a transparent line in opposition to acts that intimidate its residents.
“The following step…is for him to contemplate eradicating (her) from her publish. That is the one approach we are able to commemorate this second and say it’ll by no means occur once more,” he stated.
Mr Ahiagba argued that until decisive motion is taken, there’s a danger that practices that undermine democratic participation will turn into the norm.
He warned that any try by political actors, no matter their standing or background, to silence the general public violates constitutional protections.
“Particularly when it considerations residents expressing their opinions, who’ve all of the rights protected by this Structure…when political operatives threaten them…the recklessness have to be exceptional,” he stated.
He acknowledged the chief of employees’s apology was sudden and commendable, however argued stronger motion would ship a clearer message.
“It will be useful. It will ship a transparent message to all Ghanaians that the political class values enter from all residents,” he stated.
He concluded with a staunch protection of inclusivity within the nationwide debate.
“It would not matter if they’re a priest at a shrine, a bishop, a pastor…to start with, they’re a individuals, and their voice should not be silenced.”
