Broadcaster and political commentator Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah has questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to insults and alleged intimidation of political opponents, arguing that similar conduct was previously tolerated when it appeared politically beneficial.
Speaking on Okay FM during an interview with Nana Romeo on Thursday, Afrifa-Mensah alleged that Mahama could have intervened to stop U.S.-based Ghanaian commentator Kevin Taylor from making insulting remarks about various individuals during the period when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was seeking political power.
According to him, Mahama’s decision to remain silent at the time created the impression that the insults were acceptable because they served a political purpose.
“Mahama should have stopped Kevin Taylor from the insults on people, but he kept mute as a beneficiary of the episode,” Afrifa-Mensah said.
He further argued that Taylor’s commentary eventually targeted what he described as “almost every respectable and noble man” in the country.
Afrifa-Mensah therefore questioned why individuals are now being arrested or intimidated over conduct that, in his view, bears similarities to what was previously tolerated.
“So why is the President arresting and intimidating others for the same crime?” he asked.
He maintained that if President Mahama has now recognised that abusive or insulting political commentary is harmful, the government should address the issue comprehensively rather than dealing with individual cases.
Kevin Taylor Apologises To Samira Bawumia And The New Patriotic Party
According to Afrifa-Mensah, a national dialogue involving relevant stakeholders could provide a broader solution and help establish a consistent standard for political speech and public discourse.
“If the President Mahama has now realised it is a bad thing, he should have a national dialogue on it, else it will not stop anything,” he said.
His comments come amid continuing public debate in Ghana over political speech, insults, accountability and the treatment of individuals accused of making offensive or allegedly defamatory remarks.