Hate Speech And Intemperate Language Can't Win Elections-Rev. Ayeebo Warns Politicians

A renowned religious leader, Reverend Jacob Kofi Ayeeba, has taken a swipe at politicians who inflame passions on the media and their campaign rallies ahead of the December 7 crucial race, describing the act as 'insensitive'.

He says as the country heads towards choosing its president and law makers, there is the need for politicians to shun unpleasant activities that have the tendency to take the country into ransom, but rather endeavour to unveil their development plans and initiatives to the electorate devoid of personal attacks.

He indicates he is overwhelmed following media reports which suggest intolerance, insults, scurrilous statements and name callings precede this year's elections, saying it's incongruous to politics in Ghana.

Reverend Ayeebo brought this to the fore when he was addressing politicians, religious men and women, the civil society, traditional leaders, the media, among other illustrious stakeholders at stakeholders' engagement meeting in Bolgatanga of the Upper East Region.

While hammering on the excessive language and distasteful words rain on politicians by their opponents, Rev. Ayeebo underscored the need for all political parties, especially the governing National Democratic Congress, NDC and the largest opposition New Patriotic Party, NPP to strictly abide by the political code of conduct that denounced violence in the run-up to the December 2016 polls.

For him, if insults and deriding statements being made by politicians against their opponents were left unchecked, it would reverse the country's democratic credentials, adding the international investor would also be scared in doing business in the country.

"As political parties seeking for political leadership of this land, you should know it is God who chooses leaders and for that matter, the December elections should not be a do or die affair or winning power at all cost.
"It should not be clouded with character assassination, use of hate speeches, inciting one tribe or one party against another or indecent language", he warned.

Rev. Ayeebo emphasised the country had a place in the world history for its commitment in conducting peaceful, free and fair elections, therefore the need for each and everyone to work diligently to sustain the status quo by shunning violence and hooliganism and preach peace ahead of the polls which were likely to be fiercely fought.

The media and security, he said, had a role to play in ensuring a smooth electioneering, saying "journalists and radio presenters should expose hate speech and demonstrate professionalism by not taking sides with any party. They must keep their personal sentiments to themselves and be objective and neutral in their commentary".

He added the security agencies should be bold to crackdown on people who took the law into their own hands by fomenting troubles in the wake of the elections.

The forum which was organised by Forum of Heads of Religious Bodies in the Upper East Region, was under the theme; "Peaceful Co-existence, Peaceful Elections".