TOO MANY “NORTHERNERS” IN GOVERNMENT? REALLY? WHO ARE NORTHERNERS ANYWAY? In my line of work, I meet tens of new people every week, most of whom I engage with in casual conversations. Most often, I find myself having to answer many questions. But the one that stands out and to which I usually stutter to answer is “Are you a Northerner?” I feel so uncomfortable having to answer this question because I am still at a loss trying to locate that particular part of Ghana called “the North”. I was born in Wa, spent my childhood in Accra, spent my adolescence in Tamale, schooled in Kumasi, went to University in Accra, enjoyed a sojourn in the UK, schooled in Winneba and now, I am stationed in Accra. So where do I come from? Where is the North? And how many “Northern Regions are there? I know of one Northern Region which has tamale as its capital. Can someone show me the other two “Northern regions”? Upper West and Upper East Regions are not Northern Regions – they are Upper East and Upper West Regions! Recently, I was at a workshop together with some “highly placed political analysts” (whatever that means) and during one of the breaks, I eavesdropped on a conversation between some governance experts. They were unanimous in their claim – the NDC government has too many Northerners! I wished to join the conversation but thought to myself “hey you are a mere journalist. These guys are experts so just listen and learn”. So I continued to listen, but sadly, instead of learning, I was rather being “dis-educated” and knowing that these experts would be given the opportunity on several media platforms to continue with the “dis-education”, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I waded in……”errm sorry, but when you talk about Northerners, who really are you referring to?” “People from the North of course” replied one very popular TV analyst. “And where is the North?” I enquired again? “the three northern regions” says he. “Oh, I thought we had only one Northern region in Ghana” I remarked with an air of sarcasm. “By the way”, I continued, “when you talk of the so-called northerners being too many in government, to which group are you comparing them with, sir?” “Just compare the number of northerners to the number of Asantes, Ewes, Fantes, Gas etc, and you will understand”, he responded. “Oh sir” I said, “that won’t be a fair bases to make any meaningful comparisons. To be fair we have to look at, for instance, the number of Dagaabas, in government and may be compare that to the number of Ewes, then the number of Gonjas, then the number of Dagombas, then the number of Bimobas, then compare the numbers individually to the number of Ewes, Gas, Fantes, etc….” “what’s your point?” asked another who had been quite all this while. “ My Point, sir, is that tribal politics is in itself very negative, but if we have to do it at all, lets be willing to learn about others, let’s be fair, let’s be factual. Not long after, the break was over………
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 14:48:50 +0000
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