TRIBALISM AND OUR POLITCS Tribalism is one of the most potent forces retarding our development. There are many examples one can cite-- From Late Kofi Awoonors goal of fighting Ashantis through Rawlings comments on Fantes to Kwabena Adjei and many others tagging the NPP as the Akan party to Victors comments about in-ward-looking Ewes to Nana Addo mistakenly referring to members of his party as Yen Akanfoo to Ayikoi Otoos reflections on what non-Akan NPP members feel and closing with Prez Mahama playing the ethnic card in the last elections. I say enough already!! In my life, I have seen great acts of nationalism that should inspire us. When I was wanted by the Ewe-dominated PNDC in 1983, I and Dan Botwe were hidden by late Reverend Senavoe, an Ewe. Later, I learned that Captain Tse, retired, another Ewe in the army, had come looking for me to escort me to safety across our borders. Discovery of these acts by the PNDC would have led to imprisonment or death for both of these gentlemen trying to help us --- but they believed in our struggle for democracy-- not as Ewes but as Ghanaians! Nationally, there have been non-tribal leaders and/or voters. Nkrumah had contested Accra Central and the Gas, responding to him as a national symbol, delivered a great thumping to the Ga, Obetsebi-Lamptey, the father of the current NPP Chair in the 1951 elections while Nkrumah was in jail. In 2004, Central Region turned their backs on one of their own, late Prez Atta-Mills and voted for Kufuor! I submit, my countrymen that if our leaders will stop appealing to our fears and focus on our hopes, we will yet be the nation our FOUNDERS meant us to be. Left alone, most of us would not be tribalists but our leaders will not let us be non-ethnic Ghanaians.Let us look at our politics like we look at soccer-- we should like we pick our players, choose our leaders without regard to where in Ghana they come from. We must look at our candidates-- not as Ewes or Ashantes; not as Gas or Gonjas, not as Fantis or Frafras-- but simply as Ghanaians. Have a great day.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 02:24:32 +0000
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