Political scientist Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has taken a swipe at sections of the Ghanaian public for encouraging toxic political behaviour, saying the society often glorifies insults and loud rhetoric over fact-based discourse.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, June 12, Dr. Asah-Asante described the trend as unfortunate and called for a change in perception.
According to him, Ghanaians are more inclined to support individuals who are loud and abrasive rather than those who articulate issues with facts and logic.
He said, “This problem, I blame part of it on Ghanaian society. We have glorified nonsense in Ghanaian politics. People who insult the most, we give them power. People who shout on top of buildings, we give them power than those who discuss issues. It’s unfortunate. I will not say all Ghanaians, but a section of Ghanaians pander to this. And that’s the price that we need to pay. It’s a very hard price. But I’m sure it’s a learning curve for us. We have to learn and take ourselves from this entanglement.”
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His comments come amid reports that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is planning to issue a formal apology to President John Dramani Mahama following a series of derogatory remarks made by its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Chairman Wontumi made several offensive comments about the former president, many of which gained wide circulation on social media.
The remarks were met with public backlash, including criticism from some within the NPP who deemed them inappropriate and inflammatory.
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Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, June 10, Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, revealed that some senior party members are quietly working to extend an apology to Mr. Mahama.
He noted that the move goes beyond political optics, saying it is part of a sincere effort to reflect humility and maturity within the party.
Dr. Afriyie also hinted that legal pressures facing Chairman Wontumi may be politically motivated, prompting deeper reflection within the NPP.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
