Political Communication Scholar and Consultant, Professor Etse Sikanku, has commended Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for bringing civility, dignity, and decency to Ghana’s political landscape.
Speaking during a review of his latest book, “Dr Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency”, at the Islamic University College in Accra, Prof. Sikanku praised Dr. Bawumia that the decency he has exhibited throughout his political career is one of the Vice President’s most remarkable contributions to the country’s political space.
Prof. Sikanku noted that for Ghana to make democratic progress, it was important for leaders to demonstrate decency in political discourse, campaigns, and discussions.
“Political civility is a sine qua non for effective deliberation and democratic maturity. If this country is to experience democratic advancement and remain a beacon of hope for Africa, then it is time to do away with the low-level politics of insults. Intemperate language should give way to civil discourse, prejudice should give way to open-mindedness, slander should give way to respect, and propaganda to data,” he said.
Prof. Sikanku further stated that Dr. Bawumia served as a true example of political decency through his elevation of political communication in Ghana. “This is the Bawumia example. Rich, quality, intelligent, data-driven, policy-laced discourse setting the tone for public discourse and subject to debate,” he said.
He explained that Ghanaians were getting weary of the negative tone of political discussions and therefore called for a new era of dignity and decorum in politics.
“If we want to protect our democracy, then it’s important to safeguard the language through which the business of politics is conducted. We have to be an inspiration and example to the future generation in terms of the tone, tenor, and nature of language that we use in this democratic journey,” he stated.
Having conducted extensive research on the role of Vice Presidents in both Ghana and the United States, Prof. Sikanku rated Dr. Bawumia as the most impactful Vice President in Ghana’s history. He compared Bawumia to former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale, who is celebrated for redefining the largely ceremonial role of the U.S. Vice President.