Let’s rise up against violence

When we chose the path to democracy in 1992, it was a loud proclamation to commit ourselves to the tenets of that system that upholds the sanctity of diverse views within that realm of tolerance and respect for others’ views regardless of how wrong or misplaced that standpoint may be, thus giving expression to unity in diversity.

Democracy finds expression in the multiplicity of views that do not serve to create confusion or engender violence but one that leads to an aggregation of views that ultimately reign supreme in the name of majority decision.

It is also premised on the belief that in any human society, the people can agree to disagree.

Thus even when one disagrees with another, the principle is to use the rule of law to address whatever one may find distasteful.

Although Ghana has been touted over the period as the bastion of exemplary democracy in the sub-region and beyond, there have been occasions when certain incidents have cast a slur on that accolade associated with the country’s democratic achievements.

An example of such a repugnant act is the unfortunate incident last Wednesday where some unscrupulous persons poured acid on Alhaji Adams Mahama, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP, in Bolga which resulted in his death.

Clearly, it is believed that the incident was the result of political intolerance where some persons who disagreed with his stance went to the extent of making him to pay the ultimate price.

To say that that barbaric incident is a blot on our collective conscience as a nation is an understatement.

The French writer, Voltaire, once said that “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to death your right to say it.”

That is the thrust of democracy. No matter how painful another person’s view or stance on a matter may be, we must muster the courage to tolerate those views and respect them as the sacred view of those who hold them.

But the resort to violence as a reaction to views that we do not find pleasant is beastly and detracts from our touted democratic principles.

The Daily Graphic condemns, in no uncertain terms, this primitive act that has truncated the life of the Upper East Regional chairman of the NPP.

There have been similar instances in the past and the police have not been able to unravel the masterminds of such dastardly acts.

But, on this occasion, we call on the police to do everything possible to unravel the identities of those who perpetrated this act for the law to take its course.

Such acts are beastly and, therefore, demand that those who committed them are caged to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Daily Graphic extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Allah to grant them the strength to withstand the pain associated with this premature death.