Professor Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, has issued a strong caution against the abuse of free speech in Ghana’s democracy, warning that reckless and insulting public discourse could threaten national stability and democratic survival.
In a statement titled “Democracy, Free Speech and the Survival of the Ghanaian Polity,” Prof. Gyampo argued that while democracy thrives on freedom of expression and dissenting views, the right to free speech must not be misconstrued as a licence for insults, inflammatory rhetoric, or divisive commentary.
Referencing democratic philosophers and statesmen such as Cleisthenes, Solon, John Locke, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington, he maintained that the architects of democracy never endorsed speech that promotes hatred, chaos, or the destruction of the state.
According to him, although disagreements are inevitable in democratic governance, political discourse must remain civil, responsible, and guided by decorum.
“Democracy is about free speech but both in its classical and modern representative form, the founding fathers of this system of government never even insinuated that freedom of speech is licentious for buffoonery and foolish talk,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo further warned that certain forms of reckless speech could amount to a “coup d’état” without the use of weapons, explaining that inflammatory rhetoric and persistent insults have historically contributed to the collapse of societies and democratic systems in some countries.
He stressed that encouraging individuals to engage in abusive language and later directing victims to seek redress in court was not a sustainable democratic culture.
“It is nation wrecking for anyone in a democracy to encourage the use of insults, intemperate language and words that threaten the very survival of democracy,” he said.
The GSA CEO noted that while the courts remain available for defamation suits, judicial processes in Ghana can take years to conclude, making such legal remedies ineffective for many victims of reputational attacks.
He also drew parallels with the 1994 Rwanda genocide, cautioning that the misuse of language and hate speech can inflame tensions and destabilize societies if left unchecked.
Prof. Gyampo maintained that Ghana’s democracy remains transitional and therefore requires careful nurturing to avoid democratic relapse or national implosion.
“One distinct feature of politics is guaranteed disagreement. Society would crumble the very day we all think alike, so by all means, let’s disagree, let there be expression of dissent and let us argue,” he stated.
“ But let’s do so like people who, first of all, have a culture that enjoins us to be civil, and secondly, as a people who appreciates the true canons of democracy.”
He further argued that those who silently endorse abusive political commentary or cheer on individuals engaging in reckless speech are equally culpable in undermining national cohesion.
Calling for greater restraint in public commentary, Prof. Van Gyampo urged Ghanaians to protect the country’s democratic gains by promoting respectful dialogue and discouraging divisive rhetoric.
“Freedom of speech is not coterminous with recklessness, buffoonery and foolish talk,” he concluded.
By 1960news.com
