Omanghana
The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has challenged John Dramani Mahama’s assertion that he has developed a “crocodile skin” against political insults, arguing that such resilience should not justify abuse directed at his wife, Lordina Mahama.
In a social media post, the New Patriotic Party legislator said the ability of an experienced politician to withstand personal attacks should not be assumed to extend to family members.
His comments followed Mahama’s address to the Ghanaian community in New York, during which he said social media insults did not personally trouble him. Mahama nevertheless questioned whether abusive online exchanges reflected the standards Ghanaians wanted for public debate.
“If you insult me, I don’t mind… but is that what we want for our country?” he asked.
Responding to those remarks, Acquah argued that Lordina had not chosen to expose herself to the same treatment associated with frontline partisan politics. He maintained that political leaders’ spouses should not become targets simply because of their family relationships.
The MP questioned the acceptance of insults as an unavoidable feature of political life, calling for clearer boundaries to protect women from partisan attacks.
He also suggested that recent comments directed at Lordina might have influenced Mahama’s calls for a national conversation on cyberbullying and online conduct. That suggestion represents Acquah’s interpretation of the remarks.
The exchange comes amid debate over freedom of expression, accountability on social media and the conduct of anonymous accounts. In his address, Mahama defended free expression while condemning the circulation of malicious claims online.
Acquah’s intervention shifts attention to the impact of political hostility on leaders’ families, arguing that an individual’s willingness to tolerate insults does not remove the need to challenge abuse against others.
He maintained that respect for women and political spouses should be upheld across party lines, with consistent standards regardless of the individuals involved.
Source:Omanghana
