In a recent social media spat, Kow Essuman, the legal counsel to President Nana Akufo-Addo, took to X, formerly called Twitter, to call out former president John Mahama for allegedly copying the government’s hashtag.
The controversy centers around the hashtag #BuildingGhanaTogether, which has now become a point of contention between the two political figures.
Essuman’s tweet, posted on 1 September 2023, conveyed his disapproval of Mahama’s use of the hashtag. He wrote, “So incompetent that he couldn’t come up with his own hashtag. #BuildingGhanaTogether is Government’s hashtag. The picture is nice but Sir, please find your own hashtag and leave our hashtag for us. Thank you.”
This public exchange unfolded after former President Mahama tweeted a message welcoming people to the month of September and included the hashtag #BuildingGhanaTogether in his post. The hashtag, which carries the underlying theme of national development and unity, has gained prominence in Ghana’s political discourse.
So incompetent that he couldn’t come up with his own hashtag. #BuildingGhanaTogether is Government’s hashtag. The picture is nice but Sir, please find your own hashtag and leave our hashtag for us. Thank you. https://t.co/RYkAiu3pZN
— Kow Essuman (@kaessuman) September 1, 2023
However, independent research into the origins of the hashtag has revealed that it was first used by President Nana Akufo-Addo in a tweet on January 25, 2022. This revelation adds weight to Mr. Essuman’s accusation that former President Mahama is appropriating a slogan originally associated with the current government.
The online dispute has sparked discussions among Ghanaians, with many expressing their opinions on the matter. Some argue that hashtags are inherently public and open for use by anyone, while others believe that using a government’s official slogan without permission may be misleading or disingenuous.
This incident has also highlighted the growing significance of social media in political communication and branding, where even hashtags play a role in shaping public perception. As the exchange continues to gain attention, it remains to be seen how both parties will respond and whether there will be any further developments in this hashtag controversy.
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