By Gloria Amoh
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong says, polarizing narratives has deepened societal division
Speaking at the public forum on ‘Countering Hate Speech and Polarizing Narratives to Foster Democratic Consolidation and Peace in Ghana’ on July 17 2024, he explained that in recent discussions on societal issues, it has been emphasized that the polarization we witness in Ghana is not unique to our nation.
Such divisive trends are visible globally, notably in the United States. A stark example is the attempted shooting of former President Donald Trump, an event that reflects years of systematic polarization within America society.
“It’s just a couple of days ago that in the United States of America, there was an attempted shooting of former President Trump”. He added
According to him, United States has experienced significant polarization, which has manifested in violent and divisive incidents. For instance, following the attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, Trump and his supporters were seen to downplay the severity of the incident, with some even justifying it. This kind of rhetoric highlights the deep-seated divisions within American society, a phenomenon that is mirrored in various forms across the globe, including in Ghana.
George Sarpong indicated that, polarizing narratives, whether in the context of politics, religion, or social issues, have deepened societal divisions. In Ghana, such narratives are evident in various forms, including political discourse, religious debates, and social commentary. For example, the controversy surrounding a young Muslim girl’s fasting at Wesley Girls’ High School revealed how polarizing narratives can intensify religious divisions. Christian leaders, feeling justified in their stance, overlooked the offense their actions might cause to Muslim communities, further polarizing religious lines in the country.
He emphasized that polarizing narratives are often driven by a sense of righteousness. Individuals and groups propagating these narratives believe they are morally or divinely justified, which makes addressing the issue even more challenging.” For instance, Christians who believe that non-Christians are not entitled to the same religious freedoms may feel they are fulfilling a religious duty, unaware of the divisive impact of their actions”.
He noted that to combat this growing problem, several steps have been proposed. Firstly, there must be a collective realization that fostering a sense of mutual respect and accommodation is essential. This means that both religious and political groups need to learn to coexist peacefully, even when they disagree. Developing civic behavior norms and basic moral values in communication is crucial for building a functional democracy.
“Secondly, addressing disinformation and foreign information manipulation requires more than just fact-checking and media literacy. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes fact-checking, media literacy, and addressing the middle element of the process, which often remains unexamined. By doing so, we can create a more informed and discerning public”. He said
Also he mentioned that global and historical context of polarization indicates the complexity of the issue. Examples from Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya illustrate how deeply entrenched divisions can lead to severe societal conflicts. In Kenya’s 2007 crisis, polarizing narratives about ethnicity led to widespread violence, demonstrating the destructive potential of such discourse.
In conclusion, he addressed that polarizing narratives in Ghana requires a multifaceted approach that involves promoting mutual respect, developing civic norms, and comprehensively tackling disinformation. By learning from global examples and fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding, we can work towards a more unified and peaceful society.
