Former Education Minister and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called for greater restraint in Ghana’s political discourse, saying disagreements should not turn into personal insults.
In a post on X on August 11, 2026, Dr Opoku Prempeh said citizens should be able to criticise political leaders, question policies and challenge political parties without abandoning respect and dignity.
“Disagreement is democracy, but insult is not. We may criticise leaders, challenge political parties and question ideas, but when argument gives way to abuse, democracy loses its relevance,” he said.
He encouraged Ghanaians to accept political differences while ensuring that disagreements do not damage personal relationships or weaken democratic principles.
“Let’s disagree fiercely without losing our dignity because I believe a strong democracy is not one where everyone agrees, but one where we disagree without destroying one another,” he added.
His remarks come amid renewed debate over freedom of expression following the arrest of several individuals accused of making offensive comments and threats against the President.
The arrests have fuelled discussions about where the balance should be drawn between protecting freedom of expression and preventing abuse directed at public officials.
The NPP has also recently held a demonstration over what it describes as threats to Ghana’s democracy.
The protest brought attention to concerns including alleged intimidation, the treatment of political dissent and what the party considers a decline in democratic freedoms.
