‘This cannot continue!’ - Agyinasare condemns social media insults

Archbishop Dr Charles Agyinasare has called for a return to civility in public discourse, particularly on social media, arguing that Ghanaians must learn to speak the truth without resorting to insults, humiliation and personal attacks. According to the founder and leader of Perez Chapel International, the widespread access to social media has given almost everyone a platform to broadcast their views, but has also created an environment where abusive and degrading language is increasingly normalised. “We must recover civility without suppressing truth,” Archbishop Agyinasare said in a sermon on Sunday, October 4, 2026. “You can disagree without being disagreeable. You can criticise without dehumanising. You can expose wrongdoing without insulting. You can correct somebody without destroying their dignity.” Preaching on the theme “Watch Your Words: The Power and Responsibility of Speech,” with Colossians 4:6 as his main text, Archbishop Agyinasare said the ability to communicate instantly through smartphones and the internet had increased both the opportunities and the dangers associated with speech. He observed that political opponents are sometimes treated as enemies, while elderly people, chiefs, pastors, priests, public officials, journalists and ordinary citizens are subjected to degrading language. Archbishop Agyinasare also criticised the use of disabilities, physical appearance, ethnicity, family circumstances and other personal characteristics as weapons of insult. ‘Respect does not mean agreement’ The Archbishop said disagreement should not be confused with disrespect, stressing that Christians are called to maintain the dignity of others even when they strongly disagree with them. Citing 1 Peter 2:17 — “Honour all men” — he said respect does not require agreement or endorsement. “Civility does not require silence in the face of wrongdoing,” he said, adding: “You can tell somebody, ‘What you have done is wrong,’ without saying, ‘You are worthless.’” He urged politicians and other public figures to model a culture of vigorous but respectful disagreement rather than personal attacks. He said the growing tendency to insult political opponents and public figures must not be allowed to become an accepted feature of Ghanaian public life. Referring to political discourse over the years, he cited what he described as insults directed at former President John Evans Atta Mills, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama, including threats and insults directed at Mahama’s wife.Source: classfmonline.com
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