Ghanaian MP says culture of insults is spreading in politics — MyJoyOnline
John Ntim Fordjour, Ghana’s Member of Parliament for Assin South, said insults and aggressive comments are becoming increasingly common in the country’s political discourse. According to MyJoyOnline, he linked this trend to young people using social platforms in pursuit of recognition and political influence.
Criticism without insults
Fordjour, who is the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said that authors of insulting and provocative comments directed at political opponents and other prominent people are increasingly attracting attention and, in some cases, gaining political support. In his view, harsh statements on podcasts and TikTok broadcasts may contribute to their popularity.
The politician contrasted this with the political culture he remembers from his youth, when public figures could sharply criticize the government while remaining respectful. He named Koku Anyidoho, Kwesi Pratt, former presidents John Mahama and John Agyekum Kufuor, J. H. Mensah, and Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin as examples of figures who, in his opinion, could strongly criticize the authorities without resorting to insults.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Question of law enforcement
Fordjour’s statement came amid discussions in Ghana about freedom of expression, the spread of false publications, and the use of state security agencies to investigate content on social media. The MP also questioned the consistency of the application of laws on false publications and offensive content.
He said the provisions of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act should be applied regardless of a person’s political affiliation. Fordjour referred to the arrest and remand of senior nurse Salomey Aviti Bafo, whom the source links to British TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Koduah, known as Ghana Jollof. Bafo pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment in connection with the alleged publication and dissemination of false news.
The MP called on religious leaders, traditional authorities, and journalists to speak out against what he described as selective enforcement of the law.
