Tema MCE must be an indigene - Tema Mantse

Nii Adjei Kraku, Paramount Chief of Tema Traditional Area (Tema Mantse) has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to nominate an indigene of Tema as its Metropolitan Chief Executive.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency at his palace in Tema Manhean, he said “my people have come out boldly to tell me that they want their own flesh and blood to lead the development drive of the area and I fully support them. Their demand is not an emotional one but a logical one backed by history.”

Nii Kraku asked President Akufo-Addo not to impose a non-indigene on his people since that would seriously offend their sensibilities.

“We know for a fact that in spite of the many maritime, industrial and service establishments around us, we are trapped in the quicksand of poverty, illiteracy, and disease. Tema has its own peculiar problems, traditions, culture, hopes and aspirations which can only be fully appreciated by an indigene,” he said.

According to him, “The fact that Tema is cosmopolitan and heavily industrialised and inhabited by people from all the ethnic groups in Ghana, does not make it a no man's land. Tema has an overlord, indigenes, traditions and culture. Any resident anywhere can willingly associate with the customs, hopes, and aspirations of his host but for an indigene is it an obligation and honour.”

“We all wish the President well in his quest to develop the country. Ideally, he should have consulted us before considering any candidate but if he still wants to nominate without consulting us, all that we can say is that he should give us a member of his party who is an indigene,” he said.