Avoid Intemperate Language In 2020 Election Campaign

NEWS COMMENTARY ON LET US EMBARK ON PEACEFUL CAMPAIGNS BEFORE THE 2020 ELECTION

Once again, Ghanaians will be going to the polls for the presidential and parliamentary elections in December. Conducting the elections in a peaceful and credible manner will further deepen the democratic credentials of the country as Ghana has been described by many as the beacon of democracy in Africa. Having successfully conducted many elections in the 4th republic, the country can be sure this one will follow suit. However, it cannot be achieved on a silver platter without the commitment of all Ghanaians especially political parties. Though the past elections were peaceful and successful some challenges were identified and if not checked may create problems for the country this year. One of such challenges is the use of intemperate language by political activists. This attitude by party followers has started though not as loud as before but it should be curbed to avoid escalation. Politics is about exchange of ideas and not insults or punches.

After all, political parties claim they want power to develop the country and improve the living standards of the people. Why then do their followers fight instead of convincing the electorate with their superior ideas. It is common knowledge that insults do not win elections so parties should engage in healthy debates to benefit the people they are fighting to govern. Vigilante groups have been banned and therefore security agencies should ensure they do not operate. This will help prevent the violence that characterizes every election. They turned campaign and election grounds into kick-boxing arenas and this should not be allowed to happen in the December elections. It is the hope that sponsors of these groups have not gone into hibernation only to resurrect later to cause mayhem. One thing the media and the security agencies should take note of is the role of some serial callers in election campaigns. Some of their utterances have the potential of polluting the airwaves to create problems for the country. Managers of Radio and TV stations should be mindful of this to avoid such situations. Any station that allows such situations on their network to create problems for the country should be sanctioned.

Another issue is that some people see elections as cocoa seasons and their sole aim is to make money regardless of what happens to the country. Such attitudes should be stopped. Everybody must care about the country and ensure peace. It is imperative to ask party supporters whether they are lacing their boots for kick-boxing and insults, or are doing so to engage one another in constructive debates on behalf of their parties or candidates? Is it also a cocoa season” for some of them so they are ready to throw mud at their opponents for a pittance? Will they feel comfortable if some of them are nick-named five-cedi or ten-cedi supporters? To the war drums beaters, we ask are they ready to turn over a new leaf? Are they ready to drum for us as we campaign peacefully or as we jubilate over another electoral victory, or are they ready to drum in war fashion for us to insult, vilify, fight or attack one another? They need to choose the line of peace to enable us to co-exist peacefully as one people with one destiny. We have no other country to call our own other than Ghana. Patriotic politicians, yes, you love this country- Don’t you? Are you ready to embark on peaceful campaigns devoid of acrimony, nepotism, insults, violence or ethnicity? Are you ready to advise your supporters to also avoid the above negative tendencies for the betterment of our democracy? Politicians, beware of fair-weather supporters. Some of them are gossips, tale-bearers and back-biters who will set you against your opponents, and other supporters including prominent people in society. We should therefore campaign on issues not insults. We should resort to peaceful campaigns and eschew violence. Let us all ensure peaceful, free and fair elections to maintain the accolade as beacon of democracy in Africa. Let us all work to maintain the peace the country is currently enjoying.

God bless our Homeland Ghana.

BY: YIKIMPA BANDAGA: SOCIAL COMMENTATOR, NAVRO-PUNGU, NAVRONGO