When Will We Hear from Ethnic Stakeholders?

About a month ago, H.E. J.A. Kufuor, first spoke on the issue of four vacant seats in Parliament and later on personally expressed his support and blessings for the NPP’s flag bearer, Dr. Bawumia.

As a statesman and an elder, he expressed his candid opinion, it was expected that even those who do not agree with him must show some respect and either not comment at all, or if they would, they must come out with some respect for the old man.

However, that was not to be. Some people wondered whether statesmen should talk like that. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, descended on the Old Man, saying he has tarnished his political reputation. Very sad, to talk about this respectable gentleman like this. Was Alan trying to tell Ghanaians that all those who endorsed Bawumia, as in voting for him, had tarnished their reputation?

This remark was however nothing compared to words that came out from two Ewe gentlemen, Dela Edem and Samuel Mawutor. These two spoke in the most disrespectful manner, insulting H.E. Kufuor about his current physical condition. Such words should not be said about anyone in Kufuor’s condition. It is a direct insult on everyone with disability.

No culture in Ghana will allow such insults and personality attacks. No elder in any family and heads of ethnic groups will watch on as their own go on that tangent. Such comments can caste a slur on that family or ethnic group and make it look like their children are never brought up well.

Normally, family heads and traditional leaders of such wayward youth would render official apology to the recipient, by sending delegation to plead and form a mutual union.

On the national stage, if it were an Akan, especially an Asante who made such uncouth remarks against anyone of another ethnic group, this nation will be on high alert. The regional house of chiefs and civil society organisations will come and openly attack all Asantes and demand a withdrawal and apology.

There was a case when TogbeAfedi XIV, accused NPP’s Freddie Blay of corruption. The NPP man who was contesting for national chairman, had promised that he would supply each of the275 constituencies, brand new buses when elected national chairman.

In July 2018, Togbe Afede XIV,who took offence, suggested that Freddie Blay, should be officially investigated for financial malfeasance. Blay in a response, said something like, if he swept streets to make his money, that was his busy, such as if TogbeAfede XIV, sold palm wine to make money, it would not be of his (Freddie’s), concern.

The Asoglistate counciland the chief took offence and accused Freddie Blay of disrespecting the chief by saying the chief was a palm wine seller. They demanded a quick withdrawal and apology. Anything other than that would mean Freddie Blay will be banned from entering the Asogli state.

Ghanaweb’s General News of Friday October 12, 2018, stated that TogbeAfede XIV had earlier stated that his mother sold palm wine to take care of him, and he felt proud of that.

Earlier in 1999, when a caller on JoyFM countered another who wondered why if the Asantehene gave instructions, people obey but when the Ga Traditional Council banned noise making, nobody obeys. The caller said no Ga chief should compare himself to the Asantehene. This happened in Accra. Red alert was placed on the capital and some Akan youth who were shoeshine boys were beating up in some parts of Accra.

Later that year, when Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, paid a courtesy on President Rawlings, the ex-airman, poked his fingers into the king’s face, accusing him for not disciplining his youth.

In 2015, Hon. Yaw OsafoMaafo made a statement that Akans were to lead this country because of the rich natural and mineral resources found in their lands, which benefit this country most. Hell broke loose with condemnations and street demonstrations against his statement.

But it is over a month since two Ewe men, insulted H.E. Kufuor and even went ahead to state that he found himself in his current state of condition, as confined in a wheel chair, because God was punishing him for his sins.

And to date, no traditional council, society organisations and other bodies, have come out to officially condemn the two and asked for proper heartfelt apology to be rendered to the ex-president.

H.E. J.A. Kufuor said nothing wrong but only expressed his harmless opinions but just look at how he was libelled. Is it that when an Akan is mistreated in this country, nothing really matters, but woe betides an Akan to tow that line against any other ethnic group in Ghana?

We must not encourage this because someday the bubble will burst.

By Hon. Daniel Dugan

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

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