Home - ‘My skin is a crocodile skin' – Mahama reacts to TikTok insults

President John Dramani Mahama has established that he remains unfazed by insults directed at him, stressing that public officials must be prepared to withstand criticism and personal attacks.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2026, Mahama said he had endured intense criticism throughout his political career, including being vilified and voted out of office.

He said he is more concerned about people who hide behind social media platforms to make what he described as vile comments without taking responsibility for their statements.

“I don't mind if people show their face and own what they are saying but there are some who are hiding and they just put something there and behind it they say the vilest things,” he said.

Mahama stressed that insults directed at him do not personally bother him, describing his ability to withstand such attacks as having ‘crocodile skin.’

“As a leader, I don't mind being insulted. I've been insulted, I was vilified, I was voted out of office. So, for me, this skin is a crocodile skin. So, if you insult me, I don't mind,” he indicated.

Mahama said he is sometimes unaware of recent arrests until they are reported in the media and expressed concern when the alleged basis for an arrest appears to be merely an insult.

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He subsequently called for a broader national discussion involving stakeholders such as the Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Foundation for West Africa to determine how Ghana should regulate new media while protecting freedom of expression.

“Let's all collectively take a decision on what we want to do with the new media. Should the police get involved or they shouldn't get involved? How do we regulate it?” Mahama asked.

He also pointed to the difficulty of drawing a clear line between insults and threats, arguing that serious threats made through social media could attract police intervention in other jurisdictions.

“If you take to TikTok and threaten Trump and say that you are coming after him and you are planning to come to the White House and assassinate him, you think you will not be swept off your feet?” he questioned.

Mahama maintained that the debate should therefore focus on establishing clear rules that protect free expression while addressing conduct on social media that may pose legitimate security or public-order concerns.

His comments come amid growing public discussion over the arrest of some social media users accused of insulting public officials, particularly through platforms such as TikTok.

MRA/EB

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