Significance Of “Watch Your Mouth” Campaign

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE “WATCH YOUR MOUTH ” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED RECENTLY BY THE CHIEF OF STAFF, MADAM AKOSUA FREMA OSEI OPARE

Democracy requires that issues of national interest are freely discussed by people so as to create understanding, harmony and socio-economic development. This implies that people must feel free to contribute to issues of national importance and generate consensus for the good of the country.

Democracy and freedom do not imply unnecessary attacks on others as well as insults that could lead to confusion and fighting in society. When utterances are negative, they result in disillusionment, dissatisfaction and needless fighting among members of society. On the other hand, positive utterances encourage various sections of society to live in peace and social harmony.

Ghana is a beautiful country that must be valued by all its nationals so that this can lead to rapid socio-economic and political development. When people keep away from rancor and bitterness, and concentrate on matters that lead to peace and social harmony, the result will be an increase in investor confidence.

It is in the light of this that the “Watch your mouth” campaign launched recently by the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare ought to be embraced and appreciated in our social lives. Unguarded utterances in the name of democracy can lead to aggression, dissatisfaction and avoidable fighting among people. On the other hand, when utterances are positive, they bring about togetherness, unity, social harmony and rapid advancement towards development. This explains why the “Watch your mouth.” campaign must be supported by everyone to ensure that the country adequately gains from it and move towards a happy society.

Ghanaians have only one country that should be cherished and so anything that can lead to disintegration of the society must be avoided. We need to fight hard to show respect to one another and develop healthy relationship with everyone irrespective of status or political affiliation so that our national goal of peaceful coexistence and economic growth can be attained within the shortest possible time.

From the cultural point of view, the country can boast of different beliefs and practices that together make the country unique in the eyes of the world. It is important therefore to take advantage of this situation and portray the positive side of the Ghanaian culture which unite us as one people with a common destiny rather than engage in matters that could lead the country to disintegration and slow down progress.

Ghana has come a long way since independence in 1957 for which reason we need to pay attention to how we speak to one another in a manner that will promote peace and security rather than disunity and possible disintegration.

The campaign launched by the Chief of Staff is of great importance because without peace and unity nothing much can be achieved for this country. Other countries the world over that have been able to make positive impact in the world did so through democratic culture being conscious of the fact that any careless utterance on the part of anyone or group of people could spark fire and consume the peace they have been able to build over the years.

Ghana is in a position to make it as a prosperous nation if we continue to fight hard against needless rancour. May all nationals, therefore, be positive in everything they do towards ensuring that the country becomes the ultimate beneficiary of democracy and freedom of expression.

BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH BEDIAKO DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATION, GHANA STANDARDS AUTHORITY