Use freedom of speech responsibly - Mfantseman MP

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, has advised Ghanaians to use freedom of speech responsibly.

“The freedom of speech which is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution is to help us come up with suggestions which can help to develop the nation, but not to tarnish its image and prevent investors from coming to help in building the economy,” the MP stressed.

Mr Quansah who is the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development gave the advice at a durbar organised by the Nyimfa Division of Nkusukum Traditional Area to mark the annual Ayerye Festival of the division at Nankesedo.

He pointed out that Ghanaians’ use of freedom of speech as a political weapon to destroy innocent citizens and the nation as a whole would not augur well for the nation’s young democracy.

“People just get up and say anything without verifying the truth, damn the consequences,” he said.

Mr Quansah appealed to leaders of political parties to meet and find ways to curb “this nasty development in our political arena before it gets out of hand.”

He pointed out that if prompt action was not taken to arrest this canker, it would be difficult for the nation to get responsible citizens to go into politics or take up political appointments in the near future, for the fear of getting their hard won reputation destroyed through unfounded allegations.

The Nyimfahen of Nkusukum and Chief of Nankesedo, Nana Baa VII, expressed concern about how politics was generating indiscipline in the society.

“Politics has thrown discipline, which is the hallmark of the Ghanaian society, to the dogs,” the chief said.

He said politics had made governance extremely difficult, even at the local level.

“Chiefs find it difficult to control their citizens these days, all because of the indiscipline which politics is generating,” he stressed.

Nana Baa wondered why people could now make derogatory remarks on the airwaves about the President of the nation and go scot-free.

He appealed to Parliament to enact a law to protect the image of the President and that of other leaders.