Story: nana Sifa Twum, London

United Kingdom (UK) authorities have expressed grave concern regarding the manner at which articles of insult, intimidation and exhibition of hatred by Ghanaians are published in the media.

The issue is very much worrying especially on the web portals, which are patronised around the globe.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK Professor Kwaku Danso Boafo told a gathering of Ghanaians living in the UK in London that the UK authorities expressed much worries about the trend when he held meetings with them.

He said the concerns of the UK authorities emanate from the experiences of some war tattered countries adding that most of them started in such a way.

Around one thousand Ghanaians from all over the UK attended the four-hour forum, which was sponsored by a Jamaican Money Transfer company, Jamaica National.

Among other issues, the meeting took a look at the immigration difficulties facing Ghanaians in the UK, remittances as a way of contributing to the national economy, data base for Ghanaians in the UK, and the general welfare and support for the Ghanaian community in the UK.

Chief Executives of the Ghana International Airline, Mrs Gifty Annan Myers and the Ghana Tourists Board, Mr. Amo Debra and some other officials from the Ghana High Commission in the UK took turns to brief the gathering on their activities and solicited ideas towards the improvement of their services.

Professor Danso Boafo indicated that apart form the danger such abusive articles posted on the Internet pose to the peace of the country, they are very defamatory and deeply affect the reputation of individuals.

He said Ghana has reached a stage in her development where many people around the globe are diligently seeking information about the nation and therefore negative publications will not only affect individuals but the country at large, adding that “when such a situation occurs our tourism and foreign investment will seriously be affected”.

“We are not fitting, we are all one people, let us communicate in a very friendly and courteous manner.” The Ghanaian Government representative stressed.

Professor Danso Boafo noted that the government has no intentions of putting in place any plan to discourage citizens to express their views freely. Government has rather encouraged the people to do that but “our fear is the level and the dimension the issue has taken as well as the negative path we are treading.”

He added that it was “the observation of the authorities of a country that has passed our stage in democracy and there is the need for us to take a critical look at it and make amend.”

In reacting to the High Commissioner’s statement, a member of the Ghanaian community Mr Yaw Anim, stated that the government should not attempt to do any thing that will discourage Ghanaians from expressing their views freely.

He said the freedom of speech that the country is enjoying now is a critical aspect of the nation’s democracy, which must be cherished and sustained.

“The government must have a big heart to tolerate whatever is written about it and learn lesson from them.” He said.