Our opponents believe we can not criticize them because of the “culture of silence” – Otchere-Darko

Since Statesman and business mogul, Sir Sam Jonah made the “Culture of Silence” comment, it has sparked a debate in the country’s political environment, and the latest to add his voice to the debate is governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko.

Sir Sam Jonah, speaking at a public lecture with Rotarians in Accra on April 22, 2021 under the theme “Down the Up Escalator: Reflections on Ghana’s Future by a Senior Citizen,” said that a culture of silence was increasingly creeping into the country through ease, hypocrisy, and parochialism.

“It looks to me that the bravery to speak up for the facts and the resolve to defend the popular interest has been lacking in modern times in our Fourth Republican dispensation. It is worrying that the voices of scholars are fading into oblivion in our country’s darkest hours. Unfortunately, that is a result of our country’s extreme partisan polarization, which means that all is seen through the prism of politics.”

“It occurs to me that the silence society has reappeared. This time, convenience, parochialism, hypocrisy, and a lack of conviction prevailed over legal and military power. He said, “Where are our Adu Boahens and PV Ansahs?”

After his declaration, prominent figures such as former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Communications Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, have expressed opposing views.

Gabby Otchere-Darko, on the other hand, believes that his findings refer to a “unique class” of people in Ghanaian culture who believe that no one can threaten them as they condemn others.

“What I see now in Ghana is a Culture of Bizarre Intolerance but by a Special Class who feel they have the right to talk and squeal openly but others must remain quiet and not question the opinions of that Special Class,” the NPP leader wrote on Facebook, according to Ghanaguardian.com.