The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Kathleen Addy, is reported as having cautioned Ghanaians against hate speech because it can cause conflict in the lead-up to the general election on December 7.
For the purposes of getting the clear picture of what this editorial intends to bring out for broader public discourse, let’s remind ourselves of what hate speech is.
It is abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or similar grounds such as political ideologies and affiliation.
It can even be targeted at age brackets and certain groups of professionals.
This is why some people say hate speech refers to offensive discourse targeting a group or an individual based on inherent characteristics such as race, religion, gender and what have you that may threaten social or public peace.
It is a pity for Ghanaians, regarded for ages as peaceful people, to be admonished that they should avoid hate speech.
What has changed for some Ghanaians to make it a preoccupation to spew hate speech against others for whatever reasons they hope to profit from?
Can the situation be attributed to the misinterpretation of democracy and its tenet of free speech, which is simply the right to express opinions without censorship or restraint?
Are those spewing hate speech not aware that certain categories of free expression are not protected from restrictions and that such include incitement, defamation (insults), fighting words, and threats?
It is very good advice that the NCCE head is asking Ghanaians to be mindful of their utterances because individuals react to what they hear in different ways, which can lead to misunderstanding and rivalry.
The Ghanaian Times wishes to add that it is not only individuals but also some groups react negatively to what others say about them.
Even though hate speech erupts in the midst of various subjects, the NCCE admonition is skewed towards the forthcoming elections and so The Ghanaian Times would like to dwell on that narrowed matter.
Ghana is swiftly drifting into the abyss when it comes to political affiliation and electioneering.
Sometimes one becomes overwhelmed when the background of someone insulting a noble personality, all in the name of partisan politics is revealed.
At other times you hear someone lumping members of a certain ethnic group and lashing at them because one or two of the members have expressed opinion that sounds unpalatable.
It is more of a pity and uncivility when party communicators take on members of parties opposed to theirs and baselessly shred them into pieces.
What is worst is when party bigwigs like flag bearers, their running mates and party executive members decide to employ hate speech in their campaigns.
For instance, why should any party guru throw caution to the wind and say that it is an abomination on the part of adherents of a certain religion to vote for a particular flag bearer?
You may have ideologues or irrational followers endorsing hate speech, all because of common political affiliation.
However, the fact is that hate speech has the potential to incite people to disturb the peace of the country before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
Therefore, the NCCE admonition is apt and timely, and must be heeded for the good of the country.
While we say this all social and traditional media platforms must avoid publishing hate speech.