Ellis says racism behind scrutiny of Africa trip

ELMINA, Ghana - Macon Mayor Jack Ellis, who has been highly chastised for his visit to West Africa, says the criticism about the trip has racial undertones.

"In my estimation, there is a certain mark of racism involved in the whole thing about my African trip, even though I have never played any race card," Ellis said in an interview at his hotel Friday.

"I have always represented the people of Macon, be it black or white, whether day or in the night, but the racial undertone in this particular trip disturbs me."

During his bid for re-election, Ellis was heavily criticized by opponents for his globe-trotting. Ellis argued that while his trip to Elmina, Ghana, a sister city to Macon, has attracted serious criticism, such was not the case during previous trips to sister cities in Europe and Asia.

Ellis arrived in Ghana on Tuesday and was accompanied by six city officials. They are expected to return to Macon on Monday.

Critics noted the trip came with the city struggling financially and on the eve of a City Council vote to raise city property taxes. The vote was eventually delayed until later this month because of the trip.

Topping the agenda for the visit was the biennial Panafest Festival, one of the biggest cultural events in Ghana. However, the group arrived on the heels of the festival.

"As you can see from the banners up in the city, it was advertised to end on the 7th, and because I had something to do I couldn't leave earlier," Ellis said. "But be that as it is, we have had the opportunity to talk with the coordinators of the festival."

Apart from the Panafest, the mayor also spoke of his interest in topics such as agriculture, education, health and projects that could benefit Macon and Elmina in the future.

He was hopeful of holding discussions with government officials here to convince them to import products made in Middle Georgia.

But that's not likely, at least as far as cigarettes are concerned.

Local health officials have drafted a bill that would make it difficult, if not impossible, for cigarette products to be imported. The bill calls for higher tax rates on tobacco imports, coupled with a host of restrictions.

Meanwhile, Ellis said his critics are only interested in what the trip would earn for Macon today and are overlooking what the sister-city ideal is about.

"In fact the sister-city thing is not all about how much money one is going to earn for his city today. If I considered the benefits of this trip to Ghana, the amount of money we spent is very small as compared to the economic values we would derive from the trip in future," he said.

Ellis said several anonymous donors are helping fund the trip, but the city is picking up $4,000-$5,000 of the tab.

City Councilmen Alveno Ross and Charles Dudley are traveling with the mayor. The entourage also includes officials with the Cherry Blossom and Juneteenth festivals, a city communications intern and an instructor who teaches African dance with the recreation department.

"What people should notice is that if Africans' democracy is sustained and their economy improved, the U.S.A. would benefit immensely, so people should begin to think about all this. As a result we must all try to do what we can to help Africa," Ellis said.

Criticism, he said, will not "deter us from doing what is right."

"During my re-election bid, people criticized me over this to the extent that the newspaper even endorsed my opponent against me. But at the end of the election, what did we see? My opponent got 6 percent (of the vote) while I had 57 percent."

"This means that the people have faith in me and know who I am - not what the newspaper and my critics are saying," he said.

Ellis predicted the proposed tax increase to be voted on Aug. 19 will pass.

"Already I have two votes with me here, and also considering the fact that Macon's tax is the lowest as compared to other cities in the state," he said with a broad smile.

Ellis has arranged to have the local National Dance Company perform in Elmina tonight at the Ghana National Theatre.

Wednesday, he was clothed traditionally by the chiefs and people of Elmina at a colorful durbar, as a sign of appreciation for his concern about the development of their city. The beach of the town was also named after him.