The scornful abuse of people and institutions in Ghana is fast becoming an accepted culture, the culture of insults. This growing trend amongst Ghanaians especially the Youth poses a serious threat to our ability to communicate effectively without abusing the emotions of others.
In the past, Ghanaians struggled to insult people and institutions, especially in public spaces. Growing up, I remember, people who used ‘hard tones’ or ‘loud tones’ to explain issues were considered disrespectful. The Youth were nurtured to even endure disrespectful adults. This kind of upbringing made it difficult for Ghanaians, especially young people to use derogatory language in Public.
Today, society applauds the most abusive people.
To worsen it, the internet and social media provide a platform to promote this unacceptable sub-culture. Today, every social media platform is filled with abusive language. Cowards and other deviants hide behind weird names to insult others. This culture must stop!
Again, it is even more worrying in the country’s political space where politicians use very hard and insulting language to express their views. I have observed that politicians, especially the youth with such abusive tones, are rewarded better by their paymasters and the public. This is eating the moral fibre of our beautiful Country. A Ghana that once had a beautiful culture of respect for each other, a culture of respect for the elders and decent relationships even when we disagree.
From what we see today, it is very predictable for slight disagreement to degenerate into an exchange of insults in our public buses, schools, restaurants, radio and TV stations and other public places. Moreover, the disturbing part is that the ‘winner’ in such brawls is usually the party that uses the most derogatory language. If this trend continues, we should anticipate a future devoid of moral considerations and respect for each other. Can we imagine a large society without respect for each other?
SUGGEST
- The laws and legal system should be updated to provide some ‘check’.
- People with such ‘bad character of insulting’ should desist from such infuriating behaviour or face rejection.
- Political leaders should admonish themselves and their followers to stop using abusive tones to articulate their concerns. That will help build a morally upright society.
- Ghanaian journalists and media houses should reject insulting language in their space.
- Religious leaders should continuously coach society to respect each other irrespective of the difference and disagreements in ideas.
We, as a country, need to uproot this disgusting sub-culture from our society to preserve a decent and prosperous future.
The call to remove insults from society is a non-political call that requires our collective efforts to protect the future and create a deserving and morally upright community. A degenerated situation will not serve anyone a better opportunity but rather create a society of fear, aggression, and a culture of no regard for anyone.
By Abdul Latif Ibn Mohammed
