Calling Northerners ‘difficult, liars’ is painful – Presidential staffer

Presidential staffer Napaga Tia Sulemana has described as “painful” comments by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, William Quaittoo who referred to northerners as “liars” and “difficult” people.

Even though the lawmaker has apologised unreservedly for his comments, the presidential staffer who is a native of that part of the country took to Facebook to express her pain over the matter saying the MP’s apology was not enough.

Below is her full post:

So, here I am in bed, just struggling with myself to understand why on earth a deputy minister of state will look at the people who hosted him almost all his life(27yrs) according to him, in the face and tell us we are difficult people and also that we lie to extort money from government. I am very sure this was said without any evidence.

My name is Napaga, a pure Dagomba royal (both parents). I was born, raised and educated in the northern part of Ghana with most of my education undertaken in Tamale.

I can say on authority that Dagomba are the most hospitable people I have encountered in my life. We might be coming from one of the poorest and most deprived areas in Ghana but that doesn’t mean we don’t have dignity or integrity.

We are very “proud” people who respect ourselves and others so well irrespective of where you come from. We are one disciplined group of people who tread cautiously in our own space. You can confirm this from most southerners who have taken the Northern region as their homes.

We might not be rich as other regions but trust me, we are not hungry people.

For several years, we have done mainly subsistent farming and have fed ourselves on it without much government intervention. Same subsistent farming has brought most educated Northerners where we find ourselves today.

Therefore, I find it very difficult that someone wakes up one morning and decides to label all of us liars and difficult people. Kaman how!!

Dagombas just like other tribes and humans surely will have some bad nuts but not a basis to label us all as difficult and liars. We might appear to be one defenseless, small, distorted poor tribe but we can be very loud if you want to take us for a ride.

We surely will ‘fight back’ if you disrespect us.

My dear Hon, we being as hospitable as we are, took you in and fed you for 27 years (I am sure you would have done more years if you had the chance to) and today you are biting same fingers that fed you.

How interesting!

A mere apology is not what we are demanding but more. It is tribalistic statements like these from the very few ones like you that make life very difficult for the NPP in the north.

Dagombas are Northerners, Ghanaians and are humans as well, who also have blood running through our veins. We deserve far better from your likes. It’s indeed painful. Those sitting unconcerned and making it look like it’s a small issue we are blowing out of proportion, today it’s about the Dagombas, tomorrow it might be you. When your neighbour’s house is on fire and you sit unconcerned, remember you might be next. We are one people and one.

A Dagomba Girl feeling pained. Napaga Tia Sulemana