Mahama bemoans culture of insults on social media

President John Dramani Mahama has lamented the growing culture of insults on social media, describing it as evidence of declining moral values in Ghana.

Delivering a sermon during the Men’s Ministry Day celebration at Ringway Gospel Centre, Assemblies of God, on Sunday, President Mahama said the increasing disrespect and abusive language on social media reflected a broader erosion of the country’s moral and social fabric.

“Because of social media, our values are all gone. You go on social media, no respect for our elders, insults. Things that our society did not allow in the past, today anything goes,” he said.

The President linked the trend to wider societal challenges, arguing that the breakdown of families, substance abuse, corruption and unemployment were all symptoms of weakening moral values.

“We face family breakdown, many families are single. The man has left the children with the wife. We have substance abuse, addiction. We have corruption, unemployment, erosion of our moral and social values,” he stated.

According to him, the country must look beyond political and economic solutions and return to strong moral and spiritual principles to address its challenges.

“But in all these challenges what are the answers? Three words. Our faith in God. That is the anchor I told you,” President Mahama said, urging Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and uphold values that strengthen families and communities.

His remarks come against the backdrop of growing concern over abusive online discourse in Ghana. The culture of insults on social media has become a major public concern, fuelled by political polarisation, the pursuit of online engagement and economic frustrations. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and X have increasingly become spaces where politicians, traditional leaders, celebrities and ordinary citizens are subjected to personal attacks and offensive language.

Religious leaders and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for greater civility online, stressing that freedom of expression should be exercised responsibly and with respect for others.

President Mahama urged Ghanaians to restore the values of respect, discipline and integrity, insisting that faith in God remains the foundation for building a more united and morally grounded society.