Insults and Intolerance Eroding Ghana’s Democratic Culture, Analyst Warns
A political and economic policy analyst, Dr. Eric Bempong, has raised concerns over what he describes as the growing culture of intolerance and verbal abuse in Ghana’s democratic space, warning that the trend is weakening public participation and democratic growth.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, Dr. Bempong said Ghana’s democracy, which once showed signs of steady progress, is now being undermined by a lack of tolerance for opposing views.
According to him, democratic practice thrives on dialogue and mutual respect, but the current environment has turned disagreement into personal attacks rather than constructive debate.
“Democracy can only work when we all come together and express our views with respect. Today, if you speak and your opinion does not sit well with someone, it immediately turns into insults,” he said.
Dr. Bempong noted that the increasing glorification of insults in political discourse is discouraging thoughtful contributions and driving many capable citizens away from politics. He argued that individuals who speak publicly often do so after careful thought and should be engaged through reasoned counter-arguments rather than abuse.
“We are rewarding those who can insult, and people are even praised for it. Is that what we call democracy?” he questioned.
He explained that this hostile atmosphere has led some people to deliberately avoid politics, fearing public ridicule and disrespect, even from individuals they believe have not achieved comparable experience or status.
Dr. Bempong warned that if the trend continues, Ghana risks losing the contributions of influential and competent individuals
who would otherwise play key roles in national development.
“A time will come when people who are supposed to help Ghana will no longer respond when called, because of the environment we have created,” he cautioned.
He called for a reset of democratic values, urging political actors and citizens to embrace patience, tolerance, and the core principles of democracy that promote national unity rather than division.
According to him, democracy should be strengthened by ideas and respectful engagement, not weakened by insults and hostility that ultimately harm the country’s progress.
