'I don't need to insult you to tell you the truth' – Mustapha Gbande
National Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has said politicians do not need to resort to insults to effectively criticise their opponents.
According to him, political discourse should be guided by respect and basic principles, even when politicians strongly disagree with one another.
Speaking on the Raw with Roselyn show, Gbande said he believes in speaking the truth without compromising respect.
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“I don't need to insult you to say the truth to you, but I also don't lick your wounds. I don't lick anybody's wounds. I don't think I'm fearless, but I'm just that person who believes that hypocrisy is expensive,” he said.
He explained that society operates on certain principles, which should also guide how people engage with one another, including in politics.
“Society is a regimented place where principles prevail, and if you are speaking to your parents, you don't say it anyhow. If we need something from our parents, we don't say it anyhow,” he said.
Gbande distinguished between political criticism and personal insults, arguing that politicians can make strong statements about their opponents without being abusive.
“Well, so for example, even if I want to say something insulting to you, I should show you respect. Okay, I would still say please, but if your lifestyle is one that I can call you a particular name, I'll still call you that name, but in a very nice way,” he said.
He cited former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s description of President John Dramani Mahama as “incompetent” as an example of political criticism rather than an insult.
“No, it wasn't an insult. That was an expression of what he thought President Mahama was. It's allowed within politics,” Gbande said.
He also condemned attacks targeting politicians’ families, stressing that past misconduct cannot be used to justify similar behaviour today.
“So, for example, recently somebody insulted His Excellency, Bawumia, insulted his wife and all of that. We've got him arrested,” he said.
“Because I know some certain people argue that, oh, NDC people, when they were in opposition, they used to insult. It's not a justification for continuation of that same behaviour. It has to stop at a certain point,” he added.
Gbande said he remains critical of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his administration but insisted that criticism should not descend into personal abuse.
“Nobody criticises Nana Addo more than I do, and I'm still criticising him. And I still believe that he is very corrupt. His government has been very corrupt. That is what I feel about him,” he said.
He further cautioned politicians against making serious allegations, such as accusing opponents of murder, saying such statements could have a negative influence on society, particularly on young people.
“And when we do that, what are we teaching the younger generation? What are they learning from us?” he asked.
“These days, you go home, and your kid says, I saw Daddy on TV. What were you saying? And how does that impact our society?” he questioned.
Gbande concluded that responding to political wrongdoing with similar behaviour does not promote responsible public discourse.
“Equalisation of foolishness doesn't depict wisdom. It just shows...” he said.
NA/MA
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