Insults in political comments on GhanaWeb

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the practice of insults on GhanaWeb, a popular online platform on which some Ghanaians post comments and share opinions in reaction to various news reports. Among other things, the study entails understanding how the prevalence of harsh insults stands against the backdrop of traditional Ghanaian speech culture, which places high value on respect for the elderly and authority figures. Examining a sample of online comments directed at key political leaders in the build-up to the national elections in December 2016, the study identifies their characteristic textual and discursive features and interprets them in cultural and socio-political contexts. The study asserts that although the practice of using insults against political leaders in online commentary appears to be ‘normal’ in the online context, it is a transgression when one considers the Ghanaian sociocultural norms of communication.