“Elections are just a short while away and we cannot tolerate hate speech and misinformation anymore. We are a democratic State but that does not give you the opportunity to say whatever you want, to come out with insults against your opponent. That must stop.”
He said this at a Public Forum on “Media, Peace and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana” organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa in partnership with the National Peace Council, National Commission for Civic Education, and National House of Chiefs in Accra on Wednesday.
He suggested that Parliament passed a law to discourage political parties from using hate speech and spreading misinformation against their opponents to secure the peace in the nation.
“As a traditional leader, the security of the country is so vital to me, and I plead that let’s all stay alert and vigilant as we go through this election,” he said.
Nene Sakite, also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, condemned the abuse of democracy, especially where there was wrongful application of fundamental human rights and “where the rule of law is taken to a level where trivial issues are easily taken to court for an injunction to be placed on otherwise smooth chieftaincy processes”.
He advised that traditional leaders kept proper records of their natives to ensure that only qualified persons went through the process of enstoolment.
He also suggested that chieftaincy tribunals were resourced to handle cases of hate speech and violence.
The security services, he said, should also do more to prevent chieftaincy conflicts and ensure citizens were protected.
With the media, the Manya Krobo Konor asked practitioners to be circumspect in their reportage.
“I’m sure you have your own values, but Ghana is asking you to be very positive always in your report. That is how you can make our democracy strong and enviable. You must be aware that whatever you print goes around the world and what must go out should be the truth, fact-based and the reality,” he added.
Mrs Joana Opare, Board Member, National Peace Council, said under no circumstances should elections lead to the death of anybody.
The Peace Council, she said, had come up with a guide against usage of hate speech, that gave directives on “what to say and what not to say” as well as what would happen to those who flouted the rules.
Mrs Opare said the forum, therefore, provided an opportunity on how the media and political parties could contribute to do away with violence in elections and unacceptable narratives that threatened peace and stability.
“Let us remember that the media, political parties, Civil Society Organisations and all stakeholders have a shared responsibility to ensure that democracy is reserved and preserved for future generations,” she said.
GNA
