Financial economist and academic, Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, has cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be used by political actors to engage in insults, personal attacks and other forms of toxic partisan communication.
Dr Opoku warned that while some young people may receive financial or other incentives for aggressively defending political interests, the long-term consequences of such conduct could fall on them, particularly when they seek employment or public appointments in the future.
He argues that some influential political actors deliberately shield their own children and close relatives from the more confrontational side of partisan politics, while encouraging other young people to fight political battles on social media.
According to him, many of the children of such political figures are either studying abroad or attending expensive schools in Ghana, while some young supporters are allegedly given “coins” to engage in political insults and defend controversial decisions.
Dr Opoku said young people should be careful not to sacrifice their personal reputations and future opportunities for temporary political rewards.
He argued that the political environment can change, and individuals who are celebrated for their aggressive partisan activism today could later find their past conduct being used against them.
“When power comes, they will tell you that you have destroyed your reputation through vitriolic insults and personal attacks and are therefore unfit to merit any lucrative political appointment,” he said.
Dr Opoku further contended that political leaders who encourage young supporters to engage in abusive political discourse may ultimately turn to their own relatives, friends and associates when opportunities for appointments arise.
“Their sons, daughters, friends, and family members, whether from abroad or here in Ghana, with clean records will be appointed to positions, while they continue to offer you coins to defend their ‘nonsense decisions’ in the media space,” he said.
His comments come amid persistent concerns over the increasingly hostile nature of political discourse in the country, particularly on social media platforms, where supporters of rival political parties often engage in personal attacks over government policies, political appointments and the performance of public officials.
Dr Opoku urged young people to recognise the difference between meaningful political participation and partisan activism that could damage their credibility.
He encouraged citizens to participate in political discussions by relying on facts, data and evidence rather than insults or attacks against political opponents.
“Be wise. Hold governments accountable with facts and data, and resist attempts to use you for dirty political work,” he advised.
The financial economist also stressed the importance of holding governments accountable irrespective of political affiliation.
He urged political activists, commentators and social media users to subject government policies and decisions to objective scrutiny by examining available statistics, public records, policy outcomes and other verifiable information.
For Dr Opoku, political loyalty should not prevent citizens from questioning decisions that have implications for Ghana’s economy, public finances, governance and general welfare.
He maintained that constructive criticism and evidence-based political engagement would contribute more meaningfully to Ghana’s democratic development than personal attacks and partisan insults.
His remarks ultimately serve as a warning to young political activists to consider the long-term implications of their public conduct, particularly in an era where social media posts, videos and comments can remain accessible long after the political controversies that generated them have ended.
By 1960news.com
