Ghanaians advised to respect the presidency

Kumasi, March 20, GNA - Ghanaians have been advised never to allow their emotions to spur them into either attacking or insulting people in leadership positions, especially the presidency.

Mr Opoku-Agyemang Prempeh, Managing Director of Lakayana Company, a revenue generation and debt collection consortium, said any insults or attack on the leadership of the country particularly on the President amounted to an attack on the integrity and intelligence of Ghanaians and should thus be avoided no matter the provocation.

He gave the advice when he addressed a forum of virgins clubs in the Kumasi metropolis at the weekend.

He said what made the African culture unique and envious was the fact that reverence was given to elders and due respect accorded to occupants of leadership positions be they political or traditional. Mr Prempeh said democracy should therefore not be used as either a license or guarantee for paving the way for disrespect to elders and those in leadership positions.

"Though people have the right to criticise their leaders, they have no mandate to attack the personality of the President or traditional rulers", he stressed.

Mr Prempeh said even such criticism should be constructive and designed to offer alternative suggestions and not what he described as "empty criticism".

He entreated the media to also resolve not to focus their reports on utterances that negatively impact on the integrity of personalities and issues that amount to insults on high public office holders. Such reports, he noted, would only go to undermine the mission of the media as being conduits for enhancing unity and peace in the country.