NAPO urges responsible political discourse, warns against insults and personal attacks

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate, has called upon Ghanaians to maintain decorum in political debates and steer clear of insults and personal assaults. In a Facebook post on August 11, Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, cautioned that while citizens possess the right to criticize leaders, political parties, and ideas, such criticism should not degrade the dignity of those being criticized.

"Criticism and insult are not the same," Prempeh stated. "Criticism pinpoints faults and can inspire improvements. Insult merely aims to belittle, incite, or silence. One bolsters public discourse. The other undermines it."

Prempeh expressed worry that political conversations were increasingly focusing on individuals' intelligence, appearance, or backgrounds instead of substantive issues. He cautioned that such behavior could have detrimental effects on younger generations who perceive political leaders as exemplars of democratic participation. The former Manyhia South Member of Parliament emphasized that respect should not be interpreted as silence or an attempt to insulate public officials from scrutiny.

"Respect has never meant silence. It has never meant that elders, leaders or public officials are beyond criticism," he affirmed, urging citizens to debate opposing viewpoints without treating those who hold them as adversaries. Prempeh argued that Ghana's democratic traditions would flourish when political disagreements were resolved through vigorous discourse and divergent ideas rather than personal vendettas.

He stressed that freedom of expression must be paired with accountability, asserting: "Democracy necessitates freedom of expression, but it also necessitates responsibility of expression."