Do or die: Stop defending idioms that can be misinterpreted – Prof Gyampo

Political Scientist Professor Ransford Gyampo has argued that given the polarized nature of Ghana’s political landscape, idiomatic expressions that lend themselves to “bad misinterpretation” must not be defended.

His comment is in reaction to fallouts after former President John Dramani Mahama said that the 2024 General Elections will be a do or die affair. Many, his especially political opponents, have condemned the comment, describing it as a call to violence. But he has defended the comment, stressing that it is an idiomatic expression that has nothing to do with violence.

For Prof Gyampo, the expression, do or die, is susceptible to “bad misinterpreting,” and is best not defended. However, he added that persons who defended President Nana Akufo-Addo’s comment, all die be die,” said when he was still a Presidential candidate but are condemning “do or die” are being hypocritical.

Given how polarized we are, we must not defend any good idiomatic expression that is susceptible to “bad misinterpretation.”

At the same time, it is a cheap display of hypocrisy and an insult to the discernment of Ghanaians, if you supported an “all die be die” statement, and are now condemning “a do or die” idiom, without first letting us know of your political repentance,” he wrote.

He called on politicians to engage in their politicking with some principles and conscience.

“The conduct of politics in Ghana must be tampered with some principles and conscience,” he concluded.