“If you can hire people to insult, malign others for your gain, then you must be ready for the repercussions' — Koku Anyidoho

Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy General Secretary Samuel Koku Anyidoho has questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to the growing use of insults and abusive language in Ghana’s political discourse.

According to Mr Anyidoho, political leaders have a responsibility to confront offensive conduct involving individuals within their political circles or those perceived to be acting in support of their interests.

Speaking on Kessben Maakye in Accra on September 28, 2026, the founder and president of the Atta Mills Institute said merely condemning abusive remarks publicly would not be enough to address the problem.

He argued that political actors must be prepared to take steps against individuals whose public statements cross the line into personal attacks and insults.

Mr Anyidoho specifically mentioned US-based political commentator Kevin Taylor, whom he described as one of the prominent figures contributing to the increasingly confrontational nature of political discussions.

He questioned whether individuals who make controversial remarks openly should be treated differently from those who make similar comments anonymously on social media.

He maintained that accountability should not depend on whether the person making the remarks is publicly known or operating behind an online identity.

Mr Anyidoho also questioned President Mahama’s recent call for stakeholders to work together to address hate speech and abusive political communication.

He wondered why the issue had gained renewed attention, arguing that concerns about the conduct of political commentators had existed for some time.

He cited alleged comments by Kevin Taylor about former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, claiming that the US-based commentator had previously made remarks concerning Mr Kufuor’s use of a wheelchair which he considered offensive.

Mr Anyidoho questioned whether President Mahama was unaware of such comments at the time and why similar concerns had not attracted the same level of attention.

He further referred to alleged attacks involving Catholic bishops and other public figures, describing them as part of what he sees as a wider pattern of increasingly hostile political commentary.

The former NDC executive also rejected the suggestion that anonymity on social media should result in a different standard of accountability.

He argued that whether an individual makes offensive remarks publicly or hides behind an online identity, the impact on political discourse remains significant.

His comments come amid renewed discussion about President Mahama’s position on Kevin Taylor and the broader question of political insults in Ghana.

President Mahama has said he has never personally met or spoken with the US-based commentator. He has, however, indicated that he intends to raise concerns about Taylor’s alleged conduct with his father, whom he said he knows.

Mr Anyidoho maintained that political leaders should go beyond publicly distancing themselves from offensive remarks and examine the conduct of individuals whose attacks on political opponents may serve particular political interests.

“If you can hire people to insult and malign others for your gain, then you must be ready for the repercussions,” he said.

The comments add to an ongoing public debate about political communication in Ghana and the responsibility of political parties, leaders and commentators to promote robust debate without resorting to personal attacks and abusive language.