A Deputy Communication Officer of the Shama Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Isaac Kwame Amoah, has called on Ghanaian politicians to desist from what he described as the growing politics of insults, abuse and personal attacks, saying such conduct would not help the country’s development.
Mr. Amoah, who is also vying for the substantive Communication Officer position of the Shama Constituency NDC, made the call while commenting on the state of political discourse in the country.
According to him, both the Majority and Minority in Parliament have, in recent times, allowed political discourse to degenerate into unnecessary exchanges, personal attacks and what he described as “beef”, instead of focusing on issues that directly affect the ordinary Ghanaian.
He said while accountability remained an essential component of democratic governance, it must be pursued with decency, respect and a commitment to the national interest. He urged politicians on both sides of the political divide to disagree on policies and ideas without resorting to insults or attacks on individuals.
Mr. Amoah further expressed concern over the public exchanges between former Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and Sammy Gyamfi, describing the development as unfortunate.
He said he had great respect for Afenyo-Markin, whom he regarded as a highly respected political figure and a person capable of contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s democratic discourse. However, he said the former Majority Leader’s recent exchanges with Sammy Gyamfi and what he described as the sudden turning of national political discourse into “jama” had made him lose some of the respect he previously had for him.
“I respected Afenyo-Markin very much, but when I see the national discourse suddenly being turned into jama, it makes me lose some of that respect for him. Our leaders must be mindful of the example they are setting for the younger generation,” Mr. Amoah said.
He stressed that political disagreements should be centred on ideas, policies and national development rather than personal attacks, insults and prolonged verbal exchanges. He noted that politicians, particularly those occupying influential positions, had a responsibility to elevate public discourse rather than reduce it to personal “beefs.”
He warned that the current generation of politicians and citizens had a responsibility to protect the dignity of Ghana’s democracy, stressing that future generations might not forgive them if they inherited a political culture dominated by insults, personal attacks and political intolerance.
On healthcare, Mr. Amoah called on the government to give renewed attention to the Agenda 111 hospital projects, saying completing and properly equipping the facilities would help improve access to quality healthcare for citizens, particularly people living outside major urban centres.
He said the government must also prioritise improvements in the transport sector, particularly in major cities such as Takoradi, where commuters continue to face challenges. He expressed concern about drivers allegedly charging fares above approved rates and called on the police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to take action to protect passengers.
According to him, government should also consider procuring more buses to augment public transportation and reduce the pressure on commuters. He said an efficient public transport system would not only make movement easier but also help reduce the financial burden on workers, students and other residents.
The NDC communicator further appealed to Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state institutions, ministries, departments and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDCEs) to create more opportunities for young people. He said deliberate efforts must be made to open avenues for job creation, skills development and entrepreneurship.
He argued that creating meaningful employment opportunities for the youth would make the government more attractive to the people and strengthen public confidence in its programmes. He therefore urged government officials to move beyond promises and translate policies into tangible opportunities for young Ghanaians.
Mr. Amoah said President John Dramani Mahama was doing his best to address the challenges confronting the country, but stressed that the President could not do it alone. He called on ministers, CEOs, MMDCEs and other government appointees to support the President by working diligently to deliver on the government’s agenda.
He concluded by urging politicians, regardless of their political affiliation, to put Ghana first and make political discourse more issue-based. He said accountability, constructive criticism and robust debate were necessary for democracy, but these must be exercised with maturity, respect and a shared commitment to building a better country for present and future generations.
