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Opinions of Friday, 15 July 2016

Columnist: Denis Andaban

Ghana's political cacophony is excruciating

Media can contribute significantly in sanitizing the discourse in our national media landscape Media can contribute significantly in sanitizing the discourse in our national media landscape

The sociopolitical environment in the country is characterized with all sort of uncultured, primitive and uncivilized discourse by individuals and sometimes groups who supposed to understand democracy better.

Funny enough, such class falls under the educated class who think wisdom is about speaking loaded vocabulary. I have been seriously monitoring our media discourse for some time now and can emphatically stipulate that, we are abusing our freedom of speech and I think we must- for once, indisputably agree that we have all erred big time.

Come to think of this. Why is it that upon all our lofty idealism, we are still where we are?

Every individual in Ghana seems to be a jack of all trade but unfortunately a master to none. Many social commentators and political pundits indeed have very good ideas that can push this nation to a desired level of development, but their political inclination mostly dilute and adulterate their ideas. Why can't we put the ugly political noise aside and raise critical ideas to build our nation?

Anyway, compromising the facts for cheap political gains is better than the unwarranted insults and castigation some panelists usually engage in. These days, I think the media enjoy this kind of "political comedy" and as a result, allocate so much precious time for such.

I still believe there are few patriotic individuals with expert knowledge we can rely on, but the media is oblivious of this fact. To them, politicians know everything on earth. That is simply lugubrious.

The fact is that most of these politicians lack the technical know-how to discuss very pertinent issues on media platforms, and as a results, they turn such platforms into boxing ring with any given opportunity.

Look at all the insults and vulgar language from the media and tell me where they are coming from. Are they not coming from desperate politicians? For me, it is not their fault but the media practitioners who give them the room to harbor such diabolic, violent, intolerant and barbaric acts.

How long can we rely on mere rhetorics to develop the nation? Nationalism is thrown to the dogs but "partisanship" is upheld, yet we say we want change. What change are we talking about? If it is our attitudinal change, I totally endorse it.

There is the urgent need to change our attitude. Yes. Stop the insults, the fabrication, disrespect for state institutions, vilification and the war mongering clouded with unnecessary covetousness. This is the only change that can ensure progress of society.

The hypocritical regime change that some politicians are propagating is parochial because regime change does not guarantee a better Ghana. I abhor this kind of holier that thou attitude. We are all at fault. Let's stop the noise and run an all inclusive national development agenda.

Let me also admonish my dear youth not to emulate the uncharitable acts of those who make empty noise that cannot propel national development. We ought to stop the ugly noise and engage in decent discourse with technical orientation.

The media can contribute significantly in sanitizing the discourse in our national media landscape. I guess as usual, my piece will be greeted with public opprobrium because some people dislike the absolute truth but I will say and say it again.

Noise does not build a nation.

Shall be back.......

Writer's e-mail: denisandaban@gmail.com