There are so many issues competing for my attention as I put pen to paper. Am tempted to talk about the jailed mentally unstable man but I think it has been over flocked.
Just as I started typing, an old but popular debate topic came to mind “Science has done more harm than Good”. Interestingly, 2 argument topics also come to mind, “Is democracy good for Africa?” and Social Media a necessary Evil”. I have done a peace on democracy and therefore Social Media a necessary evil comes up as the topic for today.
I believe sincerely that Social Media has shaped our communication landscape, aside providing employment for bloggers it has propelled a lot of people overnight into fame and shame. A lot of issues which would have been swept under the carpet are getting more and more attention.
Social media has overtaken the known traditional media and assumed the undisputed title of “NOW MEDIA”. Wherever you are you can contribute to issues locally and globally.
My pre-occupation is not to preach whether it is good or bad, but to advocate for responsible use of this very powerful media. Today the Daily Guide and Peacefmonline.com has a story of a man, Haruna Mahama who has been sued for posting on his Facebook wall that Hackman Owusu-Agyeman recorded and leaked proceedings of a meeting hosted by President Kufuor and some selected Clergy to bring peace into NPP. Since it is in court I rest my case, but the man is asking Haruna and 2 others to pay Ghc 5million as compensation to him ooo.
Due to the popularity of the medium everybody is taking advantage yet its responsible use has been trampled upon. I am a member of several groups on Facebook such as “Intellectual Analysis of Governance and Politics” but my God if the kind of things people post there is what they call intellectual analysis then Ghana is going nowhere. Another group that is a far cry of responsibility is “The Platform” which has been rechristened “JDM Campaign Network” this is a blind party platform set up to do dirty propaganda and work against the people of Ghana. They are full of insults for the NPP and see them responsible for the hardship of Ghanaians than the government in power. Anything NDC does is good including raising our debt from 19 billion Cedis to 90 billion Cedis in 6 years. At one point they were blaming God as cause of “DumSor” because it was not raining, yet most of the commentators are very educated.
Away from the groups there are individuals who are there to sharpen their insult skills. They hurl insult at anybody without regard for authority. People call the president and his ministers all kinds of names without taking time to understand issues. Nana Akuffo-Addo has been described in unprintable words by people who know nothing and are nothing (may God forgive my words).
Freedom of speech is good but irresponsible speech is a nation wrecker. Am expecting people to use social media to champion cause, though “DumsorMustStopVigil” was labeled opposition it is an example of some of the positive things we can deploy social media. Let’s champion the youth in agriculture here. Let the debate for accountability and good governance be sustained here.
Let’s use the media to educate ourselves and champion courses that will benefit us and our children’s children. We should not become puppets for politicians who will only use us for their own good. Let’s learn to look beyond party colours and work to get people who will deliver the Ghana we all wish to see wherever they belong.
All Ghana needs to work is for us to start thinking. Thus the slogan I will propose for Ghana is not “Better Ghana” or “Positive Change” but “Thinking Ghana”.
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