EDITORIAL: POLITICS OF INSULTS—THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.

In 2024, more than sixty percent of political conversations on Ghanaian social media reportedly turned into personal attacks instead of meaningful discussions about policy. When one party communicator labels an opponent a “certified drug addict,” and the response is “clueless thief,” a serious question arises: Is this the Ghana we inherited—a country where political opponents wish death on one another, rank entire ethnic groups as unfit for leadership, and threaten activists with violence? What used to be occasional campaign insults has now become a daily flood of toxic language. It feels like the final straw for Ghanaian civility.

My position is clear: political insults are not harmless entertainment; they are eating away at the pride of the nation. If we care about Ghana’s future, we must confront this problem directly, refuse to normalize abusive speech, and act quickly before words lead to consequences we cannot undo.

The constant exchange of insults between the NDC and NPP has gone beyond normal political rivalry. It is beginning to erode public confidence, negatively affect young people, and reduce governance to a display of sheer bravado rather than serious responsibility. Both the NDC and NPP have contributed to this decline. After the August 2025 helicopter tragedy, some NPP supporters posted that they wished former President Mahama had been the one who died. On the other side, Mahama himself publicly insulted an opponent and mocked a vice president’s speech difficulty. In 2026, NPP’s John Boadu suggested that appointing Northerners to certain positions was an insult to Asantes.

This is no longer political debate; it is open hostility. Instead of competing with ideas, political parties are tearing each other down with contempt.

This behaviour is not happening in isolation; it is affecting society as a whole. Families scroll through social media and see elders being insulted without restraint. Students begin to believe that the loudest voice or most denigrating comment wins arguments, while people in workplaces—especially those with diverse ethnic backgrounds—fear expressing their political affiliations.

Ghana’s democratic progress is in jeopardy. Instead of focusing on policies, leaders are increasingly turning to lawsuits, public relations battles, and online surveillance to fight critics. High-profile defamation cases and efforts to track anonymous voices are replacing meaningful engagement. When politics shifts from ideas to image control and intimidation, probity and accountability suffer, and democracy deteriorates.

Words often come before actions. Reports of threats against activists and warnings issued to religious leaders show how serious the situation is becoming. When people in authority use intimidation, even indirectly, it sends a dangerous signal and precedent. If respected voices such as religious leaders are told to “keep quiet or face consequences,” then one of society’s last moral safeguards is under threat. Ignoring this trend risks allowing verbal aggression to escalate into real harm.

Political leaders often benefit from this culture rather than challenge it. Institutions like the National Commission for Civic Education try to promote tolerance, but their efforts are weakened when politicians themselves engage in the very behaviour being condemned. This is where leadership is falling short. There is a clear gap between what is preached publicly and what is practised politically.

Some argue in defence of this behaviour by pointing to freedom of speech, claiming that insulting language is not illegal. While that may be true in a strict legal sense, freedom comes with responsibility. Speech that consistently degrades others and fuels division erodes trust and weakens social unity. No stable democracy thrives on unchecked hostility, and Ghana should not pretend otherwise.

What needs to change includes the responsibility of government to apply laws on incitement and defamation fairly, not selectively, while also investing in civic education.

Institutions like the NCCE and the National Peace Council should expand practical efforts toward tolerance training, especially among party youth groups.

Religious and faith-based organizations must speak up consistently, regardless of political alignment or favouritism, and guide young people toward respectful engagement.

Civil society and traditional leaders should push for a national agreement that commits political actors to decency.

Citizens must also play their part by refusing to share, encourage, or reward abusive politics.

Ghana’s democracy was built on sacrifice, vision, and dignity—not insults. The choice ahead is simple: either we restore respect in our public discourse, or we risk losing the very foundation of the nation.