2024 Election: Amoako Baah condemns distasteful political utterances

Political scientist Dr. Richard Amoako Baah is urging political parties to mind their utterances as the elections draw near.

His comments come on the back of various reactions to comments by Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong.

The Abetifi, MP while addressing party supporters said the governing Party will do everything it takes to remain in power

Commenting on the issue, Dr. Amako pointed out that while Acheampong’s comments were likely meant to motivate the NPP’s supporters, they could easily be misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary tension.

“I don’t think public officials should talk like that, even if you tell someone to go and burn the sea, you don’t care what the person thinks or what he does. But you do care. And that makes the situation worse,” Dr. Amoako Baah disclosed on the Morning Starr.

Dr. Amoako Baah highlighted the potential dangers of such rhetoric, noting that it could be interpreted as a willingness to engage in illegal activities to secure electoral victory.

He said “The way he said it makes it appear as if he’s going to engage in some kind of criminality. Of course, if you do, you’ll be arrested. You cannot do that.”

He stated “There is already tension in the system. You don’t need to add to it. Speaking like this adds to it, and it’s not a good thing.”

Dr. Amoako Baah advised political leaders to be more mindful of their words, especially as the country approaches the next election. He stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.

“If you win, you win fair and square. That’s how it should be. We should not encourage anybody to think that you can work around the margins and win, and everybody will be quiet. No, it won’t work.”

He further clarified that Acheampong’s comment, while provocative, did not necessarily imply an intent to break the law. He said “He said we will do everything to win. And if he has won, why should we hand over power? That’s the issue.”

He also addressed the response from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whose Deputy Communications Officer threatened to meet force with force if the NPP refused to hand over power, Dr. Amoako Baah urged restraint.

“This is one of those statements you don’t have to respond to. Just look at it. As long as you can explain it another way, don’t respond to it.”

Dr. Amoako Baah called for more professionalism in political discourse, emphasizing the need for training and caution among political leaders. He stated “They should train their members. They should talk to them. They are professionals. Professionals don’t talk this way. And they don’t respond to things they don’t have to respond to.”