As Ghana approaches the December 2024 general elections, a collaborative call to action has emerged, urging all citizens to refrain from utterances and behaviours that could incite violence or deepen divisions. This united appeal was the highlight of the launch of the ‘Campaign Against Hate Speech,’ held today at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.
The initiative, designed to foster decency and mutual respect in the nation’s political discourse, is being championed by the Queen Mothers Foundation, the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and Royal TV, in collaboration with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
In his opening remarks, Akwasi Agyeman, the CEO of GTA, underscored the direct relationship between national peace and the flourishing of Ghana’s tourism sector. “For tourism to thrive, there must be peace,” he emphasised, pointing out that political stability is a cornerstone for attracting visitors and investment. He reminded the audience that Ghanaians, regardless of their political affiliations, are united by a shared identity and destiny. “We are all Ghanaians and bound together by a common purpose,” he added.
Agyeman further highlighted that the GTA’s involvement aligns with its mission to leverage cultural and artistic assets, such as music, to promote peace. “Politics should be understood as a contest of ideas, and we should be able to share ideas in peace,” he said, calling for a more respectful and constructive political atmosphere.
MUSIGA’s 2nd Vice President and Head of the Women’s Desk, Rita Amankwa Gyamfi, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of removing hate speech from political conversations. “Let us agree to disagree like brothers and sisters,” she appealed. Gyamfi urged Ghanaians to cherish the peace the nation enjoys, cautioning against complacency. “Ghana is the only country we have,” she reminded, encouraging citizens to vote responsibly. “Let your thumb do the talking, not your tongue,” she advised, reinforcing the idea that voting should be a peaceful and deliberate act.
As a show of commitment, MUSIGA plans to release a peace song by the weekend as part of the campaign, seeking to inspire unity through music.
Delivering the keynote address, Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, President of the Queen Mothers Foundation, focused on the crucial role of the media in ensuring peaceful elections. She urged media practitioners to steer clear of insults and avoid broadcasting incendiary remarks that could trigger conflict. “The media must be purveyors of peace during this time of elections,” she stressed, advocating for a heightened level of responsibility in news reporting.
Nana Ama Bonsu also highlighted the challenges posed by the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media. She encouraged journalists to thoroughly verify all information before publishing, stating, “Every piece of information must be subject to scrutiny to ensure that only truth and accuracy are being reported.”
In addition to calling for media responsibility, the Queen Mother sent a strong message to the youth, urging them to resist being exploited by politicians to cause unrest.
