'No condition is permanent.' This statement applies to almost all aspects of life including politics. 'Politics' the subject most people fear to indulge in or even discuss for fear of being ridiculed or insulted. But why must this be the case?
Growing up, I have listened to all kinds of political discussions and sometimes the argument gets so heated up that panelists insult each other resulting in the issue at hand not being addressed at all.
In the end, you have angry panelists and an apologetic journalist (for such uncouth outbursts on air).The truth about insults is that they lower the status (in terms of objectivity) of whoever performs the action and they do not make one articulate.
At first, the performer feels good but later it may lead to regrets given that nothing is permanent. Remember, political positions are not thrones ; they are avenues to serve ones country.
The 2016 Elections have been full of drama from the Onaapo to Nana Kalyppo songs. However, there are a few events I would like to highlight concerning this particular issue.
Mr. Kennedy Agyapong who is popularly known for some of his derogatory remarks (some of which I cannot mention here) during discussions but one that struck me was his attack on Madam Charlotte Osei.He told party supporters at a rally in Kumasi that Madam Osei landed her job by giving sexual favours.
Not much was done about this allegation aside the protests from fellow women who found it derogatory. Some people even cracked jokes about the fact that there was nothing new about what he did because that is his nature. So much for gender equality, isn't it?
Meanwhile, Mr. George Andah (former member of the Occupy Ghana group) was reported to have asked Hon. Hannah Tetteh where her husband was (in an offensive manner) while displaying members of his family during a rally. He claimed that he did not find it derogatory so he was not obliged to apologise.
Most of the time, I find it difficult to maintain respect for people who are involved in the 'politics of insults game'. That is what I am struggling with here. I cannot simply understand why men who have had the opportunity of obtaining higher education from some of the best schools in the country choose to slip their degrees and laurels under the rug only to muddy the waters that are supposed to reflect their true character.
There are many other people who are guilty of this within the two major political parties but these two are just examples I choose to dwell on because their attacks affect several people especially women. I hope these two and any other person indulged in such shameful activities put a halt to it by learning how to speak honorably so that they can be worthy of being called 'honorable' which is going to be adjacent to their names in a matter of days.
After all, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (incoming Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi) and Dr.Zanetor Rawlings are proof that one can do politics without any insults. I have never heard any of them use any derogatory remarks on any platform(at least not yet). Rather they focused on their message for the people instead of dwelling on their opponents with an air of ridicule.
I believe these two need to be applauded especially in an era where such great minds are able to win the hearts of people without indulging in the usual path of ridicule.
Popular actress and television personality, Madam Grace Omaboe (also known as Maame Dokono) entered the political arena during the 2012 campaign and became unpopular with the people because of the way she decided to go about her campaign for the New Patriotic Party.
On the brighter side, Mr. Dele Momodu promoted Ghana through featuring photographs of our new infrastructure in his Ovation Magazine. I think that is laudable.
Recently, Mzbel is currently 'under fire' concerning her comments on President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo. She could have just sung like Daddy Lumba did during NPP's rallies. Instead, she is reported to have said that 'Nana Akufo-Addo is not presidential material' while she was campaigning for the National Democratic Congress.
The backlash after these comments was great and it resulted in her deleting most of her pictures and videos from her Instagram account (particularly those that had campaign messages).In my opinion, she could have campaigned for the NDC without focusing on the NPP candidate in a negative way to the extent of saying Ghana would come to a standstill if Nana Akufo-Addo wins.
The Gbese Mantse may not be your regular celebrity but for the sake of this article, he is a respected traditional figure. He lost the admiration of some when he vehemently stated that if the NDC does not win the election, he would abdicate his throne. He is being called upon to honor his word while some people await his destooling ceremony.
Well, when people decide to throw caution to the wind (disregarding objectivity) and make derogatory comments concerning people that is when I say that they have stepped in Political Quicksand. You can guess what happens next.
Naa Adzoa Adzeley Boi-Dsane Contact her on Twitter account : @Adzeley www.adzeleydeluxy.wordpress.com [email protected]
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