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21.03.2012 Feature Article

The Lack of Civility in Political Discourse Starts with Public

The Lack of Civility in Political Discourse Starts with Public
21.03.2012 LISTEN

With ideological extremity and political polarization developing into a monster and to a greater extent entrenched in Ghanaian society, civility in public discourse keep on declining. Which at the present is at an imperil status we should be terrified of its disappearance.

I sincerely believe that if a Civility Survey be conducted in Ghana the result of the poll may reveal disheartening figures. A down-to-earth analysis on phone-in on many radio have stated that, they believe political rhetoric has increasingly become uncivil, and a greater part of the populace will take into account the civility of presidential candidates as a critical topic in how they vote in 2012. These points toward a sudden rise on the increase course of worry of the Ghanaian disappointment with the conduct of political debates and rallies.

Despite the fact that the sizeable majority of citizens express disquiet with politicians, the public bears a degree of responsibility for clear-thinking and a civil exchange of ideas.

On the contrary the latest display of the falling off in public civility came about at the ushering of the present NDC Government led by Mills/Mahama that has inundated the public with sordid and uncivil language. With the government spokespersons constituting GAME front and fronting for Mills and FONKAR rooting for the Rawlings camp. The NDC has varying incidents of most chilling examples of shout-outs within the NDC Party/Government at their meetings that is becoming to a greater extent reprehensible and affront to civility.

As the former A-G, Martin Amidu responded to the section of the Press for publishing false information about his dismissal, his referred to NDC Rented-Press decided to stoke fire on him for demanding that the State must retrieve from Alfred Agbesi Woyome the judgment debt Woyome fraudulently obtained from the court. The uncivil comments emanating from the Government and its Apologist must be a source of worry for all.

To what extent can Ghanaians sit down and find common ground under an umbrella of such irritating frustration and unreasonable positions that support such a dreadful scenario? “Let him not be hauled before the Law because Woyome is more human and far above public policy. Yes, that is NDC for you.

These particular kinds of shout-outs serve to further alienate citizens from one another and do nothing encourage a dialogue on issues. Spirited debate is one thing, insensitive outbursts another.

Our Political landscape is fraught with unnecessary political invectives from immature persons who find themselves in governance. These persons claim to be adults, possession intelligence and effulgence. But sad to say displays effronteries whiles they are spineless, wisdom and understanding bereft.

Regrettably, if adult Ghanaians will not personify civic responsibility, how can we expect our young people to be any different?

Listening or reading a person's position on a given topic, and their opinion on the validity of the opposing position on the same topic, one more often than not gets the feeling that said person not only thinks their opposites position is wrong, but they are "in the wrong" as a person in general. That those holding an opposing viewpoint are not just wrong on the stated point, but have something wrong with their person at a basic level. The idea that a person just as rational and understanding as you are can hold an opposite position on some topic seems beyond the grasp of some people. It almost gets to the point that in order to justify your own position, some fatal flaw must be found in the person supporting the opposite, that there is no longer the concept of being " in the wrong " on a topic, however there has to be some sinister underlying reason for someone to have an opinion differing from yours.

The President more often than not never comments on the uncivil attitude of his appointees when they out mouth-fouling others. However, any time he comes under avalanche of storm in response to invectives from his appointees then, he advocates for a ceasefire and a truce. He is a bad example and must replicate what he professes to be.

In actual fact, civility and respect toward our fellow citizens should be a personal and family priority. More than half of Ghanaians believe incivility will worsen in the coming years not only in politics but everywhere in society. Many citizens are worried concerning incivility because it has negative consequences for the nation.

With such overwhelming number of Ghanaians restless about the issue of lack of Civility, I would hope that citizens will take on more accountability for their individual behavior and communicate with civility on all levels. I believe this must start with the attending of political debates and public discussions.

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