The various ethnic groups in Ghana have no choice than live together in unity, Nana Susubribi Krobea Asante, Paramount Chief of Asante Asokore has said.
Known in private life as Dr S.K.B. Asante, the international legal consultant who chaired the second Aliu Mahama public lecture on Tuesday December 9, 2014 said: “I’d like to point out that we all know that Ghana is made up of a heterogeneous agglomeration of various diverse groups and yet we belong to one country Ghana.”
“And how we identify with this Ghana really will be the basis of our national prosperity,” the traditional leader and academic said.
“Just look at what has happened in other parts of the world. Sometimes people refer to our ancient history. Yes! There were rivalries, conflicts, wars, but you see a European Union, which is anchored on the close corporation between Germany and France and you have regard to what happened to Germany and France in our own lifetime. When you have regard to what happened to Japan: the relationship between Japan and the United States in our own lifetime, then nothing should really impede our national unity,” he said.
He cited examples of how traditional leaders are transcending their ethnic boundaries with various development initiatives across the country.
“I’m also pleased to note that some of our traditional leaders have shown examples.
“For example, the Okyehene’s environmental concerns far transcend the narrow confines of various regions, towns or ethnic groups. The Otumfuo’s education programme reaches every corner of this country. And Togbe Afede’s power plant reinforces the electric power resource of the entire country. These are but practical examples of traditional initiatives in national making and national unity.”
Nana Dr SKB Asante’s comments come on the heels of a recent concern expressed by President John Mahama, a few days ago, at the opening ceremony of the national festival of arts and culture in the Brong Ahafo region that Ghanaians must see their ethnic and cultural differences as a blessing rather than a curse, while admonishing that no one ethnic group should perceive itself as superior to the others.
“Ethnicity is subtly misrepresented in our socio-political environment to create disaffection, divisiveness and rivalry amongst us. This does not have to be so, it is wrong. It diminishes our rich cultural heritage, and emphasises our differences instead of reinforcing the positives of our cultural diversity,” President Mahama said in the regional capital, Sunyani.
He said: “Like the different strands of colour and texture woven beautifully by the kente or smock weaver into a unique and attractive pattern, we must see our cultural diversity as a unique platform for building our synergy into a common force for good.”
“You cannot weave a truly beautiful kente cloth or smock without mixing a variety of beautiful colours into the weave,” he likened.
“It is the same with our nation. It is our ethnic and cultural diversity that accounts for the strength of our country,” he observed.
The President said: “Fantes, Ewes, Nzemas, Dagombas, Ashantis, Gas, Bonos and all the diverse ethnic and cultural groupings of Ghana are not a source of disadvantage to us: indeed they are a source of strength and beauty of Ghana.”
“We are all the same people, with one nation and one common destiny, and Almighty God knows why he put all of us together in this beautiful country called Ghana.
“No ethnic group is superior to another and government will work to ensure the balance development of our nation as provided for by the directive principles of state policy,” he said.
