Government warns against ethnically explosive statements

Accra, Oct. 6, GNA – The Government has appealed to all political actors to guard against ethnically divisive and explosive statements which could spell doom for the country.

A statement signed in Accra on Thursday by Mr. John Tia Akologu, Minister for Information, stressed that “we must not take the peace we are enjoying currently for granted. Neither should we assume that the national cohesion that Ghana has become noted for was achieved on a silver platter.”

The Minister therefore asked that “all of us, as citizens and especially political leaders, should desist from attempts to create a wedge between ethnic groups and inciting ethnocentric violence.

The statement said the Minister’s statement was in the wake of comments made by the chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, that since Akans are the dominant ethnic group in Cote d’Ivoire, which is the same situation in Ghana, what happened in that country could happen in Ghana.

“Mr. Obetsebi Lamptey’s pronouncement follows a similar one by NPP flag bearer, Nana Akufo Addo, when the latter addressed party faithful in the Eastern Region.”

Mr. Akologu said it was the responsibility of the government to protect life and property and also ensure that peace was maintained at all times hence the Professor John Evans Atta Mills-led government would ensure the absolute protection of all Ghanaians while pledging government’s total resolve at stopping in their tracks those who intend to take the country down the path of Armageddon.

The Minister said: “We should, as Ghanaians, work towards the further deepening of our unity in diversity.”

“While the government is committed to presiding over free and fair elections it is imperative that all political actors refrain from conducting themselves as if their very existence depends on electoral victory whether the people will give them the mandate or not.”