The Minister of Communications, Harruna Iddrisu, has observed that the creeping culture of intolerance in Ghana’s politics and the lack of internal dissent in political parties, is a danger to democracy.
“Today, Ghana is also experiencing some form of political intolerance as witnessed in recent acts during the bye-election at Akwatia, and in some parts of the country, particularly Agbogbloshie,” he said.
The minister made the comments in commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, in Accra on Tuesday.
It had the theme: “Tolerance, a vital element in the promotion of Parliamentary Democracy.
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Democracy implies respect for plurality of views and virtues of dialogue as a means of resolving conflict, he said, explaining that “political tolerance means accepting and respecting the basic rights and civil liberties of persons and groups whose viewpoints differ from one’s own political tolerance.
He said nobody should think he or she is the only sensible person and that, his views and ideas are so sacrosanct that, they are better than other viewpoints.
The Minister observed that sovereignty resides with the people and urged the various political parties to stop pronouncements that, they would rule the nation for 30 years.
He said even if a regime rules for a long time, it only means the people, who elected that government into power, were tolerant of it and are happy with its policies.
There was a mock parliamentary session by students of the Accra Polytechnic and the University of Ghana.
The students called for a workable national youth policy because “lack of it had made some politicians to use them to make trouble and violence.”
The students also called on politicians to stop “insults and attacks and address only the issues raised for national development.”
Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, MP for Tamale Central, in his contribution, said any politician who promoted violence should be “named and shamed” to serve as a deterrent.
“Today, Ghana is also experiencing some form of political intolerance as witnessed in recent acts during the bye-election at Akwatia, and in some parts of the country, particularly Agbogbloshie,” he said.
The minister made the comments in commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, in Accra on Tuesday.
It had the theme: “Tolerance, a vital element in the promotion of Parliamentary Democracy.
”
Democracy implies respect for plurality of views and virtues of dialogue as a means of resolving conflict, he said, explaining that “political tolerance means accepting and respecting the basic rights and civil liberties of persons and groups whose viewpoints differ from one’s own political tolerance.
He said nobody should think he or she is the only sensible person and that, his views and ideas are so sacrosanct that, they are better than other viewpoints.
The Minister observed that sovereignty resides with the people and urged the various political parties to stop pronouncements that, they would rule the nation for 30 years.
He said even if a regime rules for a long time, it only means the people, who elected that government into power, were tolerant of it and are happy with its policies.
There was a mock parliamentary session by students of the Accra Polytechnic and the University of Ghana.
The students called for a workable national youth policy because “lack of it had made some politicians to use them to make trouble and violence.”
The students also called on politicians to stop “insults and attacks and address only the issues raised for national development.”
Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, MP for Tamale Central, in his contribution, said any politician who promoted violence should be “named and shamed” to serve as a deterrent.
