NPP is for Ashanti, Akyem, Kwahu and Akwapim. Those are the only tribes in 2 regions that NPP counts on to vote in majority for them.
If Fante, Bono, Ahanta, Nzema are included in Akan then it is not Akan Party, because th ... read full comment
NPP is for Ashanti, Akyem, Kwahu and Akwapim. Those are the only tribes in 2 regions that NPP counts on to vote in majority for them.
If Fante, Bono, Ahanta, Nzema are included in Akan then it is not Akan Party, because these tribes vote for NDC, and that is why NDC wins in CR, WR and BA.
Babs 10 years ago
It is the loud mouth of the NPP Ashanti’s that discourages the other tribes from joining the NPP. Educate them.
It is the loud mouth of the NPP Ashanti’s that discourages the other tribes from joining the NPP. Educate them.
THOMAS 10 years ago
Ohemeng, you are more than a sick donkey. Listen to yourself with this rubbish you have churned out here! What at all make you people think you are superior over every tribe in this country? Listen to your fucking self with ... read full comment
Ohemeng, you are more than a sick donkey. Listen to yourself with this rubbish you have churned out here! What at all make you people think you are superior over every tribe in this country? Listen to your fucking self with the hatred in you! I want to tell you mother fucker that, you Ashanti/Akyems are nothing but useless people. I look forward to the day when idiots like you would write and be specific wihtout using the word Akan. Just be specific! The problems we have in this country is not of Akans, but two Akan tribes, namely Ashanti/Akyem. That is what you idiots should get in your primitive minds. You people have tried all your best to include in your bush behaviour, other civilized and well brought up Akan groups, but they will not because the last thing for them is to be like you idiots, who think Ghana is for you. How many Akan regions do we have in Ghana, and how many Akan regions voted for your violent tribal drug addict? Until you peoplle start to behave like human beinghs, you will continue to be the bush animals that you are. Other tribes may be poor as you have been drumming all along but they deserve respect. Damm stupid people. You can fool yourselves but not Ghanaians.
C.Y. ANDY-K 10 years ago
It's clear our good Dr Yaw Ohemeng has managed to evade the main problem for the NPP: the vituperative "Akan" ethnocentrism that emanates from their very being and thinking! And so far, I see almost all the commentators haven ... read full comment
It's clear our good Dr Yaw Ohemeng has managed to evade the main problem for the NPP: the vituperative "Akan" ethnocentrism that emanates from their very being and thinking! And so far, I see almost all the commentators haven't addressed that either.
Yes, we all know that Ghana is Akan dominated. Dennis Austin said that much in the quote I've been lifting from his Ghana Observed. But to listen to these particular breed of Akans in the NPP, and overwhelming "Ewe hegemony" is repressing them, taking all the govt jobs since indep., all the Ministerial posts even under Mills (according to Akadu), and under Mahama, they have added the "pepenis" as joint oppressors of the "Akan majoritifo"!
I guess the time has come for me to post the next series of my examination of the ethnic imbroglio in Ghana.
Andy-K
C.Y. ANDY-K 10 years ago
Telling It As It Is: The PP/NPP’s Tradition of Tribal Politics
Folks,
Here is the other post from the archives. It should be an eye opener to all those who are claiming that tribal politics started under Rawlings and ... read full comment
Telling It As It Is: The PP/NPP’s Tradition of Tribal Politics
Folks,
Here is the other post from the archives. It should be an eye opener to all those who are claiming that tribal politics started under Rawlings and the PNDC. For others, it should reveal to them the origins of the ethnic foment and ethnic politics in Ghana under the NLC and then under the PP regime. It is that tradition that continues today, with the sympathisers of the NPP with Akan backgrounds being the main culprits.
I wrote the piece in response to Prof. George Ayittey, a major exponent of tribalistic analysis of politics in Africa. He failed to write a response though, since he has none. What I wrote then is still very relevant today and on this forum too. I’ve slightly edited it.
Incidentally, it was this very post Gamal Nkrumah took exception to, as he wrongly thought I was referring to him when I wrote “incestuous Egyptians”. I found out and explained to him that he and present Egyptians were far from my mind, as I was referring to the ancient and real Kemetians. Kofi Ellison, you get this straight, as you’ve been wrongly referring to this from an unknown source who told you I had a clash with Gamal.
Well, this is quite long so I’d leave this with you and for the record.
Date: Wed Aug 05 20:03:14 1998
To: ayittey@, VILLAGE@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
From: Andy K
Subject: Re: [VILLAGE] Ghana Leader Seeks Unity of Black Race
Cc:
Bcc:
Villagers,
This is something I can't pass over. As usual, it is designed to inform you all, not to enter into any discussion with Prof. Ayittey. He may however issue rebuttals to what I have written if false, or not entirely correct. After all, I never make claims to holding the monopoly to the elusive truth. I am just a lonely Seeker after the Truth. (To your information, Prof Ayittey had never taken up the challenge to back up his claims with some facts and I burnt him out the last time he repeated them).
At 19:07 03.08.1998 -0400, George B.N.Ayittey wrote:
>*************
>
>Cinque, and look who's calling for unity of the black race? A "Clarence Thomas":) >Ooops, a Freudian slip :)
>
>Seriously, Cinque, in my view, Rawlings is NOT the person for this job because:
>1. His 17 years in power in Ghana have been the MOST DIVISIVE. Ethnic tension is very >high in Ghana today. Ask any Ghanaian. There is a public perception that key positions in >Rawlings' government are occupied by his ethnic group, the Ewe. Note: I said public >PERCEPTION. Ask any Ghanaian. If he cannot unify his own citizens, how much more >those outside the country?
Andy-K writes in reply:
That ethnic tensions in Ghana are very high, first of all, is an overstatement. Rather, it is high among Ghanaians in the diaspora. Secondly, whatever ethnic tensions are there are not due to Rawlings' doing. Rather, it is the doing of some bankrupt and jaded politicians who have been arousing ethnic hatred against Rawlings mother's ethnic group members, the Ewes, as a political tool to gain power. So far, it has failed resoundingly. In fact, it has backfired so badly the culprits, found mainly in the NPP, which George also belongs to, are now openly writing and saying that they had to reassess their strategy.
The issue is not a "public perception," shared by a majority of Ghanaians. The "perception" is insidiously and virulently promoted by a narrow group of Ghanaians, of whom George indeed is one of them. He clearly and unambiguously promoted this in a mail he posted on Okyeame sometime ago. As to be expected, I took him on and referred him to the English Sociologist, Charles Elliott's book (1975). A great comparative study of poverty and its causes in some "Third World" countries, it presented statistics on the ethnic distribution in different occupations, including the public services in Ghana too. As I told George, the figures show that by 1975, his own ethnic group, the Gas, proportionately have more of their people in higher govt. positions than any other ethnic group in Ghana! I wanted to know whether that has changed since Rawlings assumed office again on 31 Dec., 1981, less than a day to 1982. As to be expected no answer came from him.
Of course, I am aware of newer researches, as that of Richard Jefferies, African Affairs, 92. 331-399:1993, which clearly state that Rawlings has not packed higher offices with Ewes since his second coming to power. (BTW, same accusations were made during his brief first coming of 3 months too). What anyone having the pretensions to being a scholar or an intellectual should do is to read those studies and stop spreading such venomous and virulent lies, which are in fact reminiscent of 1920 and '30s Nazi campaigns against Jews. Or what we Africans get from anti-alien, racist groups and parties in Europe presently. But that is not the way of George. His is abstract empiricism! Just repeat the nonsense ad nauseam without bothering to cross-check!
Anyway, I can recollect that when he posted the same offending post to the Village, he had amended the offending portion about one ethnic group in Ghana dominating to a multiplicity of ethnic groups, thanks to my biting criticism of him (on Okyeame). He left intact that simplistic level of analysis for Nigeria and Kenya, which I also objected to too. Some of you may recollect that post.
What actually is the problem? Is that "perception," (actually it's nothing more than sheer, deep-seated expression of "native prejudice" - my coinage - against Ewes, which stock I belong to), of what they have now dubbed "Ewenisation" a new thing, arising after Rawlings became head of the PNDC? Which PNDC and later NDC Party comprise a cross-section of Ghanaians? Far from it! Indeed, all the political parties in Ghana were represented in the PNDC in its early years, so nobody was excluded. (Interestingly, Kufour, presidential candidate of the NPP, was the rep. for the PFP in the PNDC).
Villagers, it is the confrontation of the source of that native prejudice that recently spilt over into the Village under the title of “Yaa Asantewaa....” We aren't finished yet! So let me take you back just to the late 1960s, not 1900.:-)
From Denis Austin's book, Ghana Observed (1976: 125), Manchester University Press and Africana Publishing Company, we read about the anti-Ewe hysteria prior to the election that brought Dr K.A. Busia's Progress Party to power in 1969. Please bear with my long quote.
******************************
"A surprising and disagreeable novelty of the election was the extraordinary anti-Ewe sentiment that was expressed in conversation with many of those who were against Gbedemah and his party. One can explain this very strong animus not simply by a dislike of Gbedema's reappearance in political life but in relation to events after 1966 coup. Suddenly there were the soldiers and the police, and everyone bust out singing, but when the music died away it was noticed that the NLC was commanded (it seemed) by minorities: Ewe and Ga. When Ankra (a Ga) was moved out, and charges were brought over-hastily by Harlley against the Chief of the Defence Staff, Michael Otu, the evidence to many was overwhelming. It was all an Ewe plot. Soon Ghana would be run for the benefit of an energetic minority, operating first within the armed forces, and now behind Gbedemah. "Appoint an Ewe to a public corporation or to a government department and within a year the entire hierarchy down to the messenger will be Ewe.” So the argument ran.
[MY COMMENTS: As it is still running today, as shown by a piece on the web site of the Ghanaian Chronicle I have posted below - one reason for the ongoing Yaa Asantewaa fracas.].
"And there was always some evidence for it, since the Ewe, deprived of any natural wealth in their barren region, have for many years been energetic in seizing the opportunities of public employment, including positions in the army and police, which wealthier communities (like the Akan) did not wish to occupy. In practice, looking through the list of senior officers in government departments and the public corporations, the evidence is certainly not clear of any Ewe domination: it could hardly be so in view of their number. (MY COMMENT: JUST OVER 13 % OF GHANA'S POP.). But a belief does not, of course have to be true for people to hold it fervently.
Now there is an Akan-dominated government of an Akan-dominated society. Were I to become, by some improbable change of fate, leader of the governing party I would be much less apprehensive of my Ewe opponents in front than of the large and expectant following behind. I would be fearful too of the ambitions of those now excluded from power, remembering the Songs of Innocence that:
The strongest poison ever known
Came from Caesar's laurel crown".
Here we end the extended quote!
Wise words indeed! But were the reactionary PP members told then, they would not have paid any heed. After assuming power, after a coup in which some Ewe officers played dominant roles, they set out to dismiss mostly Ewes, some few Gas and others known to be sympathetic to the banned CPP from their posts. They achieved this through the insertion of the first infamous Transitional Provisions in a Constitution of Ghana, attempts to deprive Ewes of their jobs having failed during the latter years of the NLC. This is the backdrop to the struggle Awoonor briefly mentioned in his ‘famous’ book, and for that, he has become an object of insult to all kinds of puny Akan boys and girls with some modicum of literacy. They (PP) did not last even 2 years in office! I can comment deeper on the above quote, since my own father was one key person who gave evidence, and was before then discriminated against after the coup. And there was plenty to tell, since the charges were true. Hope the official, classified documents of the hearing in camera should now be declassified to stop future speculation. I was big enough to know what was happening then, right from the 1966 coup.
My own father, being the most qualified around, was persuaded to forego confirmation for a post he had been acting in for years under the CPP regime (the CPP big-wigs thought only whites could hold the post!), just to allow a Ga to assume it, as Ewes were supposed to be already too many in similar posts! It was indeed a case of jobs for the boys all over again! So there was some sort of Affirmative Action going on to allow newly qualified Akans and others to also assume posts they did not formerly want. I suffered same fate with another Ewe friend too before, in our seeking a simple vacation job in 1976! And to think an Ewe, a father to a dormitory mate in school was in charge of the recruitment! But he explained, and we accepted, that even though far better qualified, they must take some others too, or they'd be hearing complaints again! So they took on 2 Twi-speaking secondary F4 girls while I, a Sixth Former armed with superlative ‘O’ L results and 3 RSA Stage 2 in English, Accounting and Commerce, was turned down! My friend was also an ‘O’L graduate with good grades and teaching part-time in a preparatory school while pursuing the CA then.
Unfortunately, they (PP, now NPP cohorts) have not learned anything from their past folly and are condemned to the political wilderness, raining insults on all and sundry. Most Ghanaians don't trust them any longer.
Anyway, some of us said enough is enough with this ethnic demonisation, while we are not even enjoying the fruits of office. Our region ranks among the lowest on the development ladder, a permanent position of "Number 9" among 10!:-) We gonna respond and do you in proper, exposing you down to your fathers and mentally warped ancestors who passed on to you those kinds of native prejudice; not better than those held by white supremacists we have come to know in our sojourn among white people.
After all, some of us know that white supremacist ideas had origins from ideas held by the incestuous ancient Egyptians about other peoples! They used to call the Greeks barbarians and no Egyptian girl would kiss a Greek ‘cos Greeks eat pork and meat, taboos to Egyptians. The demon in our midst is our own creation! Let us deal with it right from our homes! To UNIFY any people in a meaningful way, some would have to be made to drop their feelings of superiority and prejudices they hold about others within the same group. Period!
I think Rawlings has done enough to remove that image from the eyes of the mass of Ghanaians. In 1966, Kotoka would have been quite unacceptable to most non-Ewe Ghanaians as Head of State. That's why Ankrah was brought out of retirement to be head of the NLC. After all, by 1966, Ewes were just "Ayigbe dzorlor," i.e., "Ayigbe thieves," the pejorative term you Gas had coined for us Ewes, George. And I did not hear crying "you've changed meter band to Number 9," at the sound of Ewe when I was last at home, as was the case in even the early ‘80s. We'd get to the bottom of all this, just wait long enough!
Please find below a "modern" version of the Ewes are dominating us hysteria. Make up your own minds about the import of the purported letter to the "Chronicle."
>Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 21:17:28 +0200
>To: Okyeame@africaonline.com
>From: Andy K
>Subject: Tribal Conspiracy at Wesley College?
>Cc: africa_think_tank@databack.com
>
>Folks,
>As you can see, they are still at it, the T-mongers! By their words, we shall know them!
>As an Ewe, as you all know of course, I have said no to this kind of demonisation. I have >renounced the "si kpi kporwo" (don't mind them) mentality which our parents, siblings and >elders brought us up with, and is out to confront bare hands, if need be, all who think they >have grievances against Ewes. They have no case!
>That this should be happening within a church organisation is even more pathetic. Read for >yourself this piece of crap found in a national press and put on the web.
>
>Andy Kwawukume
>Norway
>
Tribal Conspiracy At Wesley College
In the November 11, 1997 issue of the "Free Press", Mr. A. Bosompem Boaboduro wrote inter alia:
"That is the reason why a place becomes Ewenized in no time, the moment you put one Ewe there."
In this write-up we intend to prove why and how there has been a conspiracy to subject Ashantis to humiliation, in Wesley College and as a result Ewenize the college. We know that at the end of it all we will be accused of fanning tribalism, but we are sure that whoever reads this article carefully and objectively will sympathise with us, the students of Wesley College and particularly the Ashantis among us.
When a little over two years ago it became necessary for the then Principal of Wesley College, Rev. Kofi Amponsah to retire from the Ghana Education Service, it became necessary for the Methodist Church to recommend somebody to replace him.
Also in 1984 when Rev. Brew-Riverson left the college as principal, two people, Rev. Kofi Amponsah and Rev. M. O. Antwi vied for the post of principal of the college. Rev. Kofi Amponsah eventually got the post and Rev. M. O. Antwi was appointed General Manager of Methodist Schools. Now as General Manager, Rev. M. O. Antwi became the Appointing Officer when Rev. Amponsah was to be replaced as the principal of the college in 1996.
It was at this stage that the conspiracy began. Apparently Rev. M. O. Antwi was peeved because in 1984 an Ashanti was appointed to the post of principal of the college, now that he was the Appointing Officer, he decided to "show" Ashantis, who he had thought, manouvred to side-step him in favour of Rev. Amponsah.
It is pertinent to note that even though in June 1996, a date was fixed for an interview to select a principal for the college, long before the interview many people in GES circles knew that Rev. Ametefe would be the principal of the college. This, the General Manager was capable of doing, because as the Appointing Officer, he was in a position to advise whatever panel conducted the interview on whom to appoint. So eventually Rev. Ametefe got the post after a farce of an interview had been conducted.
Now after Rev. Ametefe had got the post of principal, the scene was set to "show" the Ashantis. In less than two years as Principal of Wesley College, Rev. Ametefe's administration has been so fraught with tribalism and mal-administration that if nothing is done about the situation, Wesley College will lose its glory as one of the best training colleges in Ghana.
Now let me enumerate a few examples of tribalism and poor administration under Rev Ametepe. A few months after taking over the administration of the college, he declared that he could not work any more with the domestic bursar, her assistant, the college store-keeper, all Ashantis. Although, he could not assign any tangible reason for this action, he put so much pressure on the regional office that the two women were transferred from the college. Our information is that he wanted to replace those transferred with Ewes but he apparently met resistance somewhere.
In furtherance of his plan to Ewenize the administrative set-up of the college, Rev. Ametefe has made the college librarian (an Ewe), Gershon Tsadidey, virtually a vice-principal of the college. All construction works are under his care.
Obviously all these are creating tension in the college, and certainly if nothing is done about this, there will soon be an explosion on campus.
We plead with the GES Directorate in Ashanti and opinion leaders in the region to do something about it. We warn that this should not be interpreted as merely crying wolf or making false allegations. Whoever doubts what we have said can conduct his own investigations to find out the truth.
-----------END OF FORWARDED POST-------------------------
Now, how can appointing a principal to a school in Ghana be the concern of some students; not even old students? BTW, the Rev. Antwi is most likely an Akan too, as “Antwi” is a common Akan name, though there are some Ewes of Akan origins with Akan names. And there is a whole bunch of an Ewe sub-group with Ga-Fanti origins marrying with Ewes, the so-called Mina-Ewes centred around southern Togo Republic and Benin. Ewes are thus people of mixed linguistic origins, not any single tribal group from the past. Our eventual homeland became the so-called Slave Coast, as some of you surely know already. But that is quite another story, even though it is much a part of the reason for the formation of what I've dubbed "native prejudice" against us by non-Ewe Ghanaians.
Some few other comments on what George wrote.-
>2. His regime has been the MOST BRUTAL and CORRUPT in Ghana's history.
That the PNDC has been brutal in its early years I won't dispute. Much of that brutality was actually directed at each other, in the power struggle between the "super-revolutionaries" and the moderates. The moderates won. That stopped most of the abuses super-revolutionaries were meting out to the public. There was near anarchy in the country. Rawlings himself was nearly several times "devoured by the revolution." Insiders claimed he was not sleeping at the same place twice at a time!
As for the corruption, the PNDC was once one of the cleanest in Ghana's history. Ghana won some few prizes, e.g., for having the lowest pilfering and theft at the ports, and fastest turn around (hence low demurrages) for ships. Since 1990, particularly after 1992, the need to accommodate the vociferous business community and sections of the right-wing opposition, has meant a general laxity and return to the bad ways of the past with a vengeance. It seems the dictum of those people that "corruption is the lubricant which oils the wheels of bureaucracy" has won the day. But Ghana is certainly not the number 6th in corruption level, bypassing even Indonesia, as claimed not long ago. Something must be done to curb rampant corruption though.
>3. He denigrated the sanctity of African heritage by imposing ALIEN
>institutions on the people of Ghana. He blew up indigenous MARKETS,
>stripped and whipped MARKET WOMAN who violated price controls -- an
>alien measure. (Chiefs do not impose price controls on village markets);
>imposed nonsensical revolutionary committees -- an idea which was
>imported from Cuba, etc. etc.
As for this, what the hell does George mean? Which "alien institutions"? BTW, Rawlings is half-Scot, half-Ewe. His present Vice is also called Mills! Alien names, by George! Indeed, aliens are ruling us.:-) What else can we expect?:-)
The rest of the stuff above is just fiction too. I don't know which traditional institutions George has studied. If I begin to quote lengthy sentences to disprove him now, some will begin to say that Andy-K is anti-this or that. Perhaps, he hasn't read any where how the Kings and chiefs imposed very strict fiscal rules over the markets and trade routes, breaking them which can earn man the loss of his/her head! Of course, whole towns and villages could be wiped out for severe violations.
One devastating war the Asantes fought against the Fantis was simply for the reason that some two chiefs failed to send some gold nuggets they found to the Asantehene's treasury! And we know by now how the Asantes control the prices of slaves. Don't we? Well, they locked the "surplus" in their homes and burn them alive, for instance! Cinque, you must be lucky your ancestor got through into the slave boat! I hate myths!
And what dared you grow pepper in ancient Dahomey without permission from the King of Abomey? And can you move a slave or an elephant tusk to the European slave castles in Accra without paying your due to the free-booting Akwamus when they were the mercenaries and guardians of the slave routes for you Gas; or after they had given your ancestors a thrashing and taken over the trade themselves, spilling the slave trade into the world of our ancestors in the present VR?
>4. Surrendered the sovereignty of Ghana to the World Bank and the IMF,
Hmm! As for this, no plenty comments! I don't think much of the Terrible Twins too. But did we ever regain that "sovereignty"? Nkrumah only said everything else (economic independence inclusive) would follow political independence. "Seek ye first the political kingdom ....” Some of his critics, e.g., Prof. A.W. Seidman (1978), said the formula was naive to begin with.
>5. Placed the SEAT of his government in the Castle in Accra, where
>thousands of AFRICAN SLAVES were kept in dungeons before trans-shipment
>to the Americas. Yet, he is the same man who sherperd (sic) black American
>tourists to Elmina Castle, some 80 miles away, for an emotional connection.
>Some tourist guide, eh?
The seat of government has for a long time been the Castle. Rawlings just moved in too.
As for the tourism project, I have my own serious misgivings about it and had expressed them elsewhere - directly to those involved too. In fact, I know some of the key architects very well, including the brain behind. He was my host when I was collecting data early 1993 at Elmina and at Shama. We go a long way back.
However, when I read some of the goings on, apart from making contact with my friend, I made contact with no less a person than one main consultant at Smithsonian Institute and expressed my (our) concerns. I gave permission for everything I wrote to be sent to the powers-that-be in Accra and Cape Coast, where George actually attended his famous "high school" in which students used to sit on the floor.:-) Phew! Some people can spin a yarn for a buck! Sorry! Villagers, pardon my soliloquy.
George, there is a fierce power struggle going on in Ghana (and elsewhere) the surface of which only appears now and then. It all has to do with the UNITY of the Old and New, the historically dispossessed of the African diaspora and that of Africa, and the place of the "privileged" of Africa within that order. That unity of purpose and interest, of course, MUST come into fruition, but upon whose terms and conditions? At this moment, I do not want to write more about this, as I intend to do so elsewhere, sooner or later. But let me just narrate this incidence involving the so-called renovation of the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.
What apparently turned out to be a "white-washing" exercise, led an African-American to go on hunger strike protest in the Cape Coast Castle. Some of you certainly know the story better than me already. Ghanaians, including those on Okyeame were outraged, claiming that such a publicity gimmick by well-to-do idealists was out of place in a country some people go to bed with only one meal a day! I stepped in to inform Akyeame that even when some of their ancestors (the hunger strikers) were in shackles, they tried to starve themselves to death. That was why the white slavers used to bring special pincers for knocking off the front teeth of those captives seaward-bound refusing to eat so that they could be force fed. After that, we had a fruitful discussion of enlightenment and Re-Awakening of African Consciousness. Akyeame learned that hunger strike as a tool of protest was not something invented by Gandhi! Of course, the incidence brought out some contradictions in attitudes and viewpoints between the various three parties I identified above, which I'd pass over discussing now.
Well, I have been more verbose than intended.:-) Thanks George for giving me the opportunity to let some bile off my chest.:-)
Andy K
ADDENDUM:
So here ended my views on a number of issues, besides the accusation of the T-thing, which generated it. For those dishonestly or ignorantly claiming that Rawlings brought tribalism to the Ghanaian body politic, from now onwards, they should know that we have travelled that blind alley before, and heard it all before! The Busia, PP tradition introduced it into Ghanaian politics! They used it against our fathers, uncles, aunts, etc. We their sons and daughters shall NOT TOLERATE ANY LONGER THIS concoction of BIGOTRY, ENVY AND PREJUDICE FROM ANYONE WHATSOEVER! We Ewes study hard to get jobs we are qualified for, as someone responsible for recruitment in Ghana recently confirmed to me again. Himself an Ewe, he said at times, he tried awarding lower points to the Ewe candidate, only to be overruled by the white boss and others on the panel! That was his way of dealing with the murmurings he has been hearing – attempt to disqualify yet another more qualified Ewe from getting a job his/her struggling parents had sacrificed so much for!
Okponglo Guy 10 years ago
Akan majority and dominance is the root cause of the envy. Accusations of arrogance are excuses
Akan majority and dominance is the root cause of the envy. Accusations of arrogance are excuses
Kwabena Yeboah 10 years ago
NPP is Ashanti/Akyem owned ,controlled and directed party.Don't use the Akan label to decieve a good number of Akans who don't speak the Twi dialect.I understand you are a Nuclear Scientist.well stick to that and leave Ghana ... read full comment
NPP is Ashanti/Akyem owned ,controlled and directed party.Don't use the Akan label to decieve a good number of Akans who don't speak the Twi dialect.I understand you are a Nuclear Scientist.well stick to that and leave Ghana politics alone.Dr Frimpong Boateng is finding it difficult to be fully accepted by the Ashantis and Akyems in the NPP.The kind of nasty remarks made behind him will cause you to throw Up.I have been with them long enough to know what the party actually is.
Mark (UK) 10 years ago
Yaw,
It is disingenuous of you to state that ' at the end of the day competence will be the determining factor for electing....' Of course you will say that, when we know that for your party, only Ashantis/Akyems are deemed ... read full comment
Yaw,
It is disingenuous of you to state that ' at the end of the day competence will be the determining factor for electing....' Of course you will say that, when we know that for your party, only Ashantis/Akyems are deemed competent. I am glad that, most Ghanaians can see through this and reject your party. How often have we seen stalwarts ofyour party come here and rain insults using "Pepefuo" etc.
You can not throw dust into our eyes. Until the time comes that the NPP can consider others as their equals enough to elect them as flag bearers, then the 'Akan' tag will remain.
KKO 10 years ago
Distortion of facts in support of theory! Who are the "NPP stalwarts" who come to Ghanaweb. When Mahama says "I am a Northerner therfore vote for me," what do you think that is? What do you think "Adze wofie oye" or "Habanase ... read full comment
Distortion of facts in support of theory! Who are the "NPP stalwarts" who come to Ghanaweb. When Mahama says "I am a Northerner therfore vote for me," what do you think that is? What do you think "Adze wofie oye" or "Habanasefo wonnyim hom ehiadze" by Atta Mills meant?
Frankly, if we had gone Federal at independence, we would have been a lot better off by now!
Mark (UK) 10 years ago
KKO,
The difference between those statements and the point I made is that at least they are honest enough in admitting to those statements. In Ghana, people vote on tribal lines. Let us admit to that fact. But in my rejoind ... read full comment
KKO,
The difference between those statements and the point I made is that at least they are honest enough in admitting to those statements. In Ghana, people vote on tribal lines. Let us admit to that fact. But in my rejoinder, I asked for the NPP to prove that they Ashantis and Akyems are not thet only ones capable of ruling the country. The day that dream will be realised, ghana would have matured indeed.
When talking of NPP, do not assume that I exclude myself from the party.
Kwesi Agbenu 10 years ago
NDC always use Fantes to represent Akans in their equations. In NDC either the flagbearer or his running mate is always a Fante. The other Akans dont matter.Mahama from the North had to take a Fanti--Amissa Arthur(stupid donk ... read full comment
NDC always use Fantes to represent Akans in their equations. In NDC either the flagbearer or his running mate is always a Fante. The other Akans dont matter.Mahama from the North had to take a Fanti--Amissa Arthur(stupid donkey man) by all means to balance North/South. They will nevr go to ASShnti. No wonder PV Obeng, Tony Aidoo are being haunted out.
Said 10 years ago
Don't use that name & keep misbehaving. Get something doing okay
Don't use that name & keep misbehaving. Get something doing okay
Spartacus 10 years ago
You can quote statistics as much as you like, it is perceptions that matter. The NPP was not formed along tribal basis. Everybody knows that and the constitution even prevents it. But in practice, people perceive the party as ... read full comment
You can quote statistics as much as you like, it is perceptions that matter. The NPP was not formed along tribal basis. Everybody knows that and the constitution even prevents it. But in practice, people perceive the party as being dominated by Akans and hence tribal based. Furthermore, they perceive this tribal based quality as tribalism. They know that NPP has no agenda to promote Akan interests above those of other tribes but non-Akans perceive the party as doing that de facto.
Secondly, as some other commentator has mentioned, even some Akans narrow down the tribal based perception to Akan/Akyem dominance. Whether this is true in fact or not doesn't matter. It is the perception that it creates that is damaging to the party's chances of attaining power.
The writer can make all the fine distinctions between domination and tribalism, it is not going to wash on the people whose votes they need to tip the balance in their favour.
NDC is doing a good job in exploiting the perceptions of the people even though it is not doing a mighty job in managing the economy.
Yaw Ohemeng 10 years ago
My article is arguing that the NPP needs to make the distinction clear. I also said some formal structure to encourage non-Akan frontline actors might also be needed.
The statistics alone will not do it but it is of value ... read full comment
My article is arguing that the NPP needs to make the distinction clear. I also said some formal structure to encourage non-Akan frontline actors might also be needed.
The statistics alone will not do it but it is of value in convincing non-Akan supporters that the evidence is threadbare. You cannot go out to turn people's hearts and minds when some amongst you even speak the language of outsiders. Besides, it forms a useful platform to launch any beating back.
I am very much aware that in politics, perception matters but you need a solid foundation to beat back the wrong perception.
Kojo T 10 years ago
NPP came from UP which came from tribal parties dominated by NLM an Asante/Akyem groupin that visited violence on Ghana. So stop wasting our time NPP is a tribalistic party
NPP came from UP which came from tribal parties dominated by NLM an Asante/Akyem groupin that visited violence on Ghana. So stop wasting our time NPP is a tribalistic party
John,Tema 10 years ago
The point is those in NDC who keep on tagging NPP as Akan party are criminals who want to create that division just to win power to rule.Unfortunately they have not been able to use that advantage to develop the state which i ... read full comment
The point is those in NDC who keep on tagging NPP as Akan party are criminals who want to create that division just to win power to rule.Unfortunately they have not been able to use that advantage to develop the state which in the end comes back to hit all of us whether Akan or non-Akans.NPP leaders just need to be clever and cautious when handling this devilish tag bcos of the literacy rate of the Ghanaian society.
Ako 10 years ago
The analysis of Yaw Ohemeng is disingenuous.The argument so far is that the npp has projected itself as not only an Akan dominated party but they seem to have exclusively arrogated to themselves the right to the leadership of ... read full comment
The analysis of Yaw Ohemeng is disingenuous.The argument so far is that the npp has projected itself as not only an Akan dominated party but they seem to have exclusively arrogated to themselves the right to the leadership of the party.
The NNPP has a tradition from the Busiah Danquah and Dombo tradition but its historical record shows only the Ashanti Akyem tribe always at the helm of affairs and the record is there for all to see.Even if it is perception and not the facts the party has not helped itself in addressing that perception.
Personally as a Ga,I don't know whether you were doing the Gas a favour by putting them in the third tear of the leadership of in the NPP. You claim that in this 4th Republic, the NPP have had three non-Akan party chairmen who are Mr. Ala Adjettey, Mr. Odoi-Sykes and Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey. What is the perception, (because all three you named were Gas)do you mean the Gas must always be satisfied with a third tear of leadership of the party.I just look forward to the day that the leadership of the npp and the controlling authorities will elevate a Ga to the top of the leadership corridor or at least have a different tribe other than an Akyem Asante at the very top of the dealership of the party.
Tussey 10 years ago
The minority leader Kyei Mensah or so said there is no single sensible Ga, who is qualified enough to lead the NPP. Just imagine such remarks coming from a minority leader of the biggest opposition party? What about the late ... read full comment
The minority leader Kyei Mensah or so said there is no single sensible Ga, who is qualified enough to lead the NPP. Just imagine such remarks coming from a minority leader of the biggest opposition party? What about the late Alliu? Kufour went to the extend to condemn him that, he saw no use of his position, and that, if he has the power, he will abolish such vice president position. Then he made a U-turn that, the late Alliu was one of the best men he has ever worked with. Sadly and disgracefully couple with his tribalism, Kufour rooted for Allan Kyeremanteng instead of his vice president. So what is Ohemeng trying to force us to believe, other than what every Ghanaian is fully aware of? Please let us get serious! To me, I think what we need to do is to support whoever is in power for the good of this country, regardless of party affiliations. That is the only way forward.
KKO 10 years ago
Good piece, Yaw,
I also believe that the only reason why some in the NPP hierarchy bother to respond to those baseless taggings/accusations is that there are within the NPP itself, clowns like Nyaho Tamaklo (who after being ... read full comment
Good piece, Yaw,
I also believe that the only reason why some in the NPP hierarchy bother to respond to those baseless taggings/accusations is that there are within the NPP itself, clowns like Nyaho Tamaklo (who after being harassed by Rawlings for years and having been rescued by Kuffuor, now suddenly realises that he is in fact an Ewe with Northern connections) and Arhtur Kennedy (who still does not understand that scoring 2 votes in a national election simply means you are NOT popular), who somehow manage go along with that nonsense, for purely selfish reasons.
As a democratic institution, did people, for instance expect Kuffuor to go to the delegate conference and raise Aliu’s hand as his successor, as the autocratic Jerry Rawlings did at Swedru? If people of other ethnic groups will not put themselves up for elections, is that the fault of those who opt to serve fellow citizens?
Public service is about competence and dedication, it is NOT about quotas, which has never worked anywhere in the world, as the Americans and Nigerians will tell you in their privacy. As the majority in society, the Akans are bound to dominate in any institution/organisation in Ghana where people are elected/appointed on the basis of competence, voluntarism or democracy. It is true of the Church, Parliament, Judiciary, civil/public service, schools, universities, among the lecturers, and even cabinet, if we are doing things properly. It is a very simple law of selection.
The question to ask is, do the Akans in NPP and society in general, capitalise on their dominant presence in organisations/institutions to the disadvantage of others? And the answer is NO! Actually, I wish they did. It would be a lot better for Mother Ghana, as the current sorry situation of Ghana clearly shows!
Kotey, Kotei 10 years ago
Yaw Obemeng cannot even understand his own question. Akan dominated and being Akan tribalist may sound different but in practice they are same Sir. This is because we all know the history of the United Party(UP) to PP and NPP ... read full comment
Yaw Obemeng cannot even understand his own question. Akan dominated and being Akan tribalist may sound different but in practice they are same Sir. This is because we all know the history of the United Party(UP) to PP and NPP. The composition of Kufuor's ministers, those he appointed into higher offices etc in his government defeats Yaw Obemeng's academic question. I would have thought that Obemeng as intellectual as he claimed to be would show some relationships between logic and practice in reality to make a constructive debate. Ghana needs people who can relate knowledge to practice or reality.
James Armstrong 10 years ago
Your analysis is an effort at intelectural dishonesty without success because facts cannot be turned upside down and repeated continuously to make it the truth, no matter how hard you try. Good luck to you next time
Your analysis is an effort at intelectural dishonesty without success because facts cannot be turned upside down and repeated continuously to make it the truth, no matter how hard you try. Good luck to you next time
Kweku Boateng Jnr. 10 years ago
There is no tribe known as 'Northern' in Ghana. Mahama is Gonja, who are Guans partly based in northern region. Guans are part and parcel of Akans. They are found in the Central region for example Sanya Breku?, Appredi in the ... read full comment
There is no tribe known as 'Northern' in Ghana. Mahama is Gonja, who are Guans partly based in northern region. Guans are part and parcel of Akans. They are found in the Central region for example Sanya Breku?, Appredi in the eastern region.
So Dr. Ohemeng, Your argument is shallow. Northern is not a tribe. Mahama is a Guan, so is Dr. Abu Sankara of the CPP. What is important is the policies of the Parties, governments. Ghanaians want better housing, education, health, food, security etc.
Yaw Ohemeng 10 years ago
I am at a loss as to what you thought my argument was? If you think Mahama is Akan, then you are rather reinforcing my argument.
I am a Ghanaian and I am very much aware that 'Northern' is not a tribe but with time, we hav ... read full comment
I am at a loss as to what you thought my argument was? If you think Mahama is Akan, then you are rather reinforcing my argument.
I am a Ghanaian and I am very much aware that 'Northern' is not a tribe but with time, we have tended to consider it as so due to the difficulty in differentiating. It is the same with Akan - it comprises of different sub-groups.
I gave a reference as to where I got the tribal makeup. It is from the 2010 population census. In the report, Guans have been condidered as different from Akans.
My argument is that both the NPP and NDC are national parties with concentration of support amongst certain tribes. I also said this should not be seen as negative, if the policies they pursue are national in character. You have ended up saying the same thing. So in what aspects is my argument bogus?
NDC ..IS EWES PARTY ...
NPP is for Ashanti, Akyem, Kwahu and Akwapim. Those are the only tribes in 2 regions that NPP counts on to vote in majority for them.
If Fante, Bono, Ahanta, Nzema are included in Akan then it is not Akan Party, because th ...
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It is the loud mouth of the NPP Ashanti’s that discourages the other tribes from joining the NPP. Educate them.
Ohemeng, you are more than a sick donkey. Listen to yourself with this rubbish you have churned out here! What at all make you people think you are superior over every tribe in this country? Listen to your fucking self with ...
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It's clear our good Dr Yaw Ohemeng has managed to evade the main problem for the NPP: the vituperative "Akan" ethnocentrism that emanates from their very being and thinking! And so far, I see almost all the commentators haven ...
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Telling It As It Is: The PP/NPP’s Tradition of Tribal Politics
Folks,
Here is the other post from the archives. It should be an eye opener to all those who are claiming that tribal politics started under Rawlings and ...
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Akan majority and dominance is the root cause of the envy. Accusations of arrogance are excuses
NPP is Ashanti/Akyem owned ,controlled and directed party.Don't use the Akan label to decieve a good number of Akans who don't speak the Twi dialect.I understand you are a Nuclear Scientist.well stick to that and leave Ghana ...
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Yaw,
It is disingenuous of you to state that ' at the end of the day competence will be the determining factor for electing....' Of course you will say that, when we know that for your party, only Ashantis/Akyems are deemed ...
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Distortion of facts in support of theory! Who are the "NPP stalwarts" who come to Ghanaweb. When Mahama says "I am a Northerner therfore vote for me," what do you think that is? What do you think "Adze wofie oye" or "Habanase ...
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KKO,
The difference between those statements and the point I made is that at least they are honest enough in admitting to those statements. In Ghana, people vote on tribal lines. Let us admit to that fact. But in my rejoind ...
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NDC always use Fantes to represent Akans in their equations. In NDC either the flagbearer or his running mate is always a Fante. The other Akans dont matter.Mahama from the North had to take a Fanti--Amissa Arthur(stupid donk ...
read full comment
Don't use that name & keep misbehaving. Get something doing okay
You can quote statistics as much as you like, it is perceptions that matter. The NPP was not formed along tribal basis. Everybody knows that and the constitution even prevents it. But in practice, people perceive the party as ...
read full comment
My article is arguing that the NPP needs to make the distinction clear. I also said some formal structure to encourage non-Akan frontline actors might also be needed.
The statistics alone will not do it but it is of value ...
read full comment
NPP came from UP which came from tribal parties dominated by NLM an Asante/Akyem groupin that visited violence on Ghana. So stop wasting our time NPP is a tribalistic party
The point is those in NDC who keep on tagging NPP as Akan party are criminals who want to create that division just to win power to rule.Unfortunately they have not been able to use that advantage to develop the state which i ...
read full comment
The analysis of Yaw Ohemeng is disingenuous.The argument so far is that the npp has projected itself as not only an Akan dominated party but they seem to have exclusively arrogated to themselves the right to the leadership of ...
read full comment
The minority leader Kyei Mensah or so said there is no single sensible Ga, who is qualified enough to lead the NPP. Just imagine such remarks coming from a minority leader of the biggest opposition party? What about the late ...
read full comment
Good piece, Yaw,
I also believe that the only reason why some in the NPP hierarchy bother to respond to those baseless taggings/accusations is that there are within the NPP itself, clowns like Nyaho Tamaklo (who after being ...
read full comment
Yaw Obemeng cannot even understand his own question. Akan dominated and being Akan tribalist may sound different but in practice they are same Sir. This is because we all know the history of the United Party(UP) to PP and NPP ...
read full comment
Your analysis is an effort at intelectural dishonesty without success because facts cannot be turned upside down and repeated continuously to make it the truth, no matter how hard you try. Good luck to you next time
There is no tribe known as 'Northern' in Ghana. Mahama is Gonja, who are Guans partly based in northern region. Guans are part and parcel of Akans. They are found in the Central region for example Sanya Breku?, Appredi in the ...
read full comment
I am at a loss as to what you thought my argument was? If you think Mahama is Akan, then you are rather reinforcing my argument.
I am a Ghanaian and I am very much aware that 'Northern' is not a tribe but with time, we hav ...
read full comment