Re-THE CULTURE OF INSULT IN GHANA

Once upon a time,specifically in April 11,2009, I featured this acticle on Modern Ghana and after many days of pondering over what is happening in Ghana, I will like to share with fellow ghanaians the content of this article as the message is still relevant to our young democracy.

When you meet a stranger the first impression you get about him is his appearance. A military person can be identified by his or her uniform, the colour,skin and the hair texture of a stranger may tempt you to identify him or her with a particular group of people.No wonder when you saw some one wearing clerical collar you would assume that you have met a pastor, a priest , a father , a clergyman-depending on your religious background. We more often than not forget that APPEARANCE IS SOMETIMES DECEIVING.By reason of the fact that we have been trained to believe what we see we do not question what we see except when we are proved wrong by reality.Notwithstanding the fact that we can be deceived by appearance as Homo sapiens , appearance can be one of the most effective means by which we can use , with our limited perview and understanding, to assess and judge the people we meet in life. Beyond appearance our speech and to some extent our mannerism can tell much about a person.After all the Good BOOK says that OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS.In another instance it says that even a fool is considered a wise person when he talks less.The practice of democracy enjoins freedom of speech and other forms of liberties. Democracy must be promoted to any level conceivable yet as GHANAIANS WE CAN NOT REDUCE TO VILE ,BELLIGERENT VERBIAGE AND INSULT. We ask ourselves as a nation where are we going with this kind of behaviour.A cursory observation of what is contained in our newspapers and in the air[waves] will convince any a man that the practice of insult is now becoming our second nature.It is now becoming a cankerworm is fast eating into socio-economic fibre.Just a month ago I heard a prominent politician calling one of the radio panellists on a pupular FM Stations in Accra a NON-ENTITY and other words which to my understanding are not worthy to be printed.He made those statements with impunity and in an unashamedly fashion.Today we watch gleefully as the young insult people in the helm of affairs.I wonder what has become of the culture of civility and respect we were raised up with.We dare insult our President and former Heads of states.It is high time we began to check we way we talk.The rule is DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOU.

BY min aba
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