Editorial
Let’s avoid divisive language, hate speech
Dear Editor,
In six months’ time, Ghana would hold her Presidential and Parliamentary elections to elect a new government or maintain the current one.
I am happy this exercise happens once in every four years and not an annual or monthly event because of the levels tension rise among the various political groupings.
This year’s exercise would not be different from previous years as we are already witnessing some political maneuverings and hearing unwarranted remarks from people one would expect to know better.
But some of those things must be avoided this year and strive to hold a peaceful and transparent election devoid of the unfortunate incidents in the last edition.
As political activists commence their campaigns and various strategies, I would urge them to take the advice from the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Charles Abani, to learn from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis of Rwanda.
He asked the politicians to guard against hate speeches, divisive language and comments that would discriminate or dehumanise a particular group of people.
This is an advice we must strictly adhere to because the stakes are high. Our politicians must exercise the highest restrain and must not be provoked easily. They should know that we are one people and so shall we remain before, during and after the elections.
Marylyn Acquah,
Kasoa