The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has noted that the use of intemperate language by politicians ahead of this year’s elections is on the increase.
The body has, therefore, asked all politicians to be decorous in their language as they engage in political discussions ahead of the polls on December 7.
A statement signed by Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Chairman of the Council, on Thursday, September 10 said the Council at its Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting held on Tuesday observed “that our country’s political discourse is still replete with insults and provocative statements and disrespect for one another”.
“This is unfortunate and detrimental to the sustainable peace and development of the country.
“As Christian leaders, we uphold the dignity of all citizens of Ghana as people created in the image of the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore, condemn abusive and divisive politics in our country.”
The statement further indicated that the CCG believes that decency and respect for one another must be the foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
“Respect for others in political discourse will preserve our national cohesion and Identity as one people in our country with a common destiny.
“Destroying others to win votes on the other hand threatens our fledgling democracy and peace. Let us remember that political opponents are not enemies. They are brothers and sisters who have divergent views on how the nation should be governed.
“We therefore call on politicians to show mutual respect for one another, embark on clean campaigns and focus on explaining their policies and vision to the citizens of the country.
“We entreat all political leaders and their followers and other stakeholders in this year’s General Elections to exercise restraints and exhibit decorum in their speech during political discourse. Politicians must avoid defamation of character and eschew ethnocentric, gender and religious insensitive statements that have the tendency to spark violence.”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana