MP’s calls for healthy discussions of issues

Page 12, Nov 5, 2010
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) have expressed worry about the current spate of insults on the airwaves and have called for healthy discussions of issues on partisan lines to enhance the country's political dispensation.
They were contributing to a statement made on the floor of the House by the MPs from Ablekuma North, Mr Justice Joe Appiah, and Ahafo-Ano North, Mr Richard Akuoko Adiyia.
Mr Appiah expressed worry about the use of the airwaves to attack political opponents and called on the media to be circumspect to avoid such situations.
"It behoves all of us to treat our leaders with respect and decorum, as they are the embodiment of dignity, and they also represent the soul of the nation."
Mr Appiah called for efforts to maintain the national unity even in the face of extreme provocation in order to avoid strives that had occurred in other parts of Africa in recent years.
He said that as the nation prepare to go to the polls in December 2012, “I passionately appeal to all to exercise the greatest restraint in the use of language that might create tension, rancour and animosity within the general public.”
In his view, the war of words which had saturated the country’s political discourse lacked discussions on policy alternatives to national accelerated development.
He reminded Ghanaians that “we are still practising multi-party democracy, with all political parties struggling to gain political power and govern the country.”
This, he cautioned, must be done with decency and the toning down of sentiments in our political discussions, adding that “we are not enemies but one people with a common destiny and aim.”
Mr Appiah said that Ghana was the only country we had and therefore it would be extremely unwise to sit aloof and allow a few people to toy with the destiny of the nation and disturb its peace.
In his statement, titled "Ghana First", Mr Akuoko noted that as citizens of the country, Ghanaians have a common destiny and collective security and that an attack on one was an attack on all.
"Mr Speaker, government will come and go, people will come and go, political parties will come to power and lose power but mother Ghana will always be there," he said.
Mr Akuoko stated that the country had reached a stage in its democratic dispensation that government in power and the largest opposition party should be able to give and take constructive criticisms to ensure cross-fertilisation of ideas.
"The cycle of vengeance and political vendettas has no place in our democratic dispensation and must stop," he said.
The MP said that the time had come for politicians to move away from the politics of lies, deceit, insults and personal attacks and rather engage in constructive debates of issues that promoted national development.
He said if, as the representatives of the people, politicians benefited more than the people they were serving, "then we are not serving," he said, adding that the politics of political brouhaha should be over.
"If we become too entrenched in our political philosophies and ideas, we tend to lose sight of a broader picture, the well-being of the people of this country," he said.
He cautioned Ghanaians that "whether we like it or not, we are in the same boat together, we either swim together or drown together."
The statements received the endorsement of the whole House. All MPs who contributed were commended for their timely advise.