Ethnic politics dangerous for Ghana – Bilijo

Mr Nayon Bilijo, former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has touted government’s effort in developing the country through broad based agenda devoid of ethnocentric sentiments.

He therefore expressed concern about “arithmetical politics of ethnicity,” inspired by political conspiracies to incite some ethnic groupings especially the Konkombas against President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Bilijo in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra urged traditional leaders from the northern sector to watch and reject politics based on ethnicity, stressing that “it would not be in the interest of Ghana to walk the path of ethnic politics.

“People are not appointed mainly because of the particular ethnic groups they belong to but based on broad considerations contain in the 1992 Constitution.”

The statement therefore called on leading opposition political figures from the northern sector to watch their pronouncement especially relating to political appointments.

“We must not incite the people…am disappointed about media reports attributed to the Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, “Mr Daniel Bugri Naabu on non-appointment of Konkombas in President Mahama’s administration.

“Under the NPP regime, there was one Konkomba Minister and two Deputy Ministers throughout the entire eight year period. The Minister lasted less than one year in office. And there were four appointees as District Chief Executives,” the statement said.

“Under the NDC, there are two Ministers – Northern Regional Minister for three years and a Minister of State for four years under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

“Under President Mahama, I was appointed a Minister for over a year; and there is one ambassador who is serving in Angola. In addition, Konkombas have six DCEs. There is currently also a Presidential staffer as well”.

The statement said “Under the NPP Konkombas had only one full ministerial appointment as compared to three full ministerial appointments under the NDC.

“I will therefore wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the young politicians in the Konkomba fraternity, particularly those in the NDC to come out, be seen and be heard, with hard work political appointments will come.”