The new President of Union of GaDangmes in Europe (GDEu), Emmanuel Nii Okoso Tetteh Mensah, has called on Gadangmes (natives from Greater Accra Region - Ghana) to wake up and defend their culture against what he described as calculated forces aimed at drowning the language of the GaDangme people. He said this when speaking in an interview with Reggie Tagoe where he also talked about his background, the GDEu and its plans to help the Region. Below is the full text of this interview.
Reggie Tagoe (R.T.): Congratulations, on your election as the new President of ‘Union of GaDangme Europe’(GDEu). Many GaDangmes from the Greater Accra Region in the diaspora may have welcomed the news of your elections. Are you in anyway surprised as being chosen to Head the Union?
Tetteh Mensah (T.M.) To insiders within the GDEu who were really involved with the electoral process leading to the election in March earlier this year in Hamburg – Germany, it was no surprise at all as I was the only candidate nominated for the position of the presidency. On the other hand, it may be a surprise to outsiders who were not abreast with issues within the GDEu especially those who had no direct access to GDEu general forum. Personally, standing for the position for the presidency of the GDEu is an honour when other prominent personnel within the GDEu have confidence in me for the position. That in itself is a manifestation of some leadership qualities they had seen in me.
(R.T.): Coming from your base in England to a Head a Union of this nature carries a big responsibility. Many who don’t know you may ask the question: Who is Emmanuel Nii Okoso Tetteh Mensah? Run me through the course, in briefs, about your background.
(T.M.): First and foremost the GDEu needs “ordinary people” (men & women) who can do ordinary things extraordinarily well. The written qualification required should be “ordinary people” who are sympathetic to the cause or plight of the GaDangme people, ordinary men and women who are fully aware of the issues facing the GaDangme people and who have in the past demonstrated, supported or are willing to contribute and to be associated with the aims of the GaDangme Europe. Furthermore, let us look at the disciples of Jesus, they were ordinary people, no academic background, wealth, no social position or social advantages, yet look at their feats.
I consider myself as coming from a very humble background and from a very small village called Aplaku. Born into Okoso Mensah ‘We’or Clan of Aplaku - a suburb of Accra. My father, a long distant lorry driver popularly known as ‘Namo Aale’ (may be translated as:‘Who may have known’) had the understanding and vision that the education which he never had and which at times seemed like a mirage to him should never be denied his children. To this end he made sure I was educated at “School of Life”, located at Abokobi – suburb of Accra. Having had the privilege of being educated at Abokobi Presbyterian Primary and Middle School in the 1960’s, brought home to me the essence of serving and respecting fellow human beings our God has made in his own image. At Abokobi under the tutelage of the late George Oko Antonio and Mrs Patience Ofosua Antonio I patiently learnt to differentiate what one would refer to in Ga as ‘bi ni atsose le ke bi ni ale le’(meaning there is child who has been cultured or taught manners when growing up and one just brought up). With my upbringing at Abokobi “School of Life” I was “equipped” spiritually and physically with leadership qualities. The upbringing at Abokobi was an inner development, passion and sympathy for the plight of the issues affecting the GaDangme people particularly the undervaluing of the GaDangme languages and our culture which has been well argued by Rev. Prof. PhilipTettey Laryea in his book titled: “Yesu Homowo Nuntso”. Also at “Abokobi School of Life” I learnt all about emotional intelligence, listening skills, being approachable and above all the need to rely on Jesus “ever living presence” for He is not a dead hero or a past founder, who graced this planet called earth. The golden rule I learnt from Abokobi which is my guiding principle to this day is, “Obey before you complain”
(R.T.): What are you bringing on board as the new President of GaDangme Europe (GDEu)?
(T.M.): We cannot change the past but our experience of the past can help shape the future. The initial widow’s mite I brought to the GDEu table was the submission of a report following a review of the GDEu as an Organisation in November last year. I had the privilege of interviewing the entire former GDEu Executives and the 3 Advisors to the GDEu among others. The report was divided into 3 separate sections or headings: (1) Remoulding our future together. (2) Constitutional Issues & by-Laws. (3) GDEu Plan& Report recommendations & action plans. The report and its recommendations were circulated to the former Executives and the Review Committee (RC) but sadly enough, the powers that be were “being too proud to learn” and as a result only occasional references were made to the report when it suited ‘eminent GDEu personnel’ to have a go at the former President. Secondly, I am a team player and believe in team work. The Almighty God has endowed each one of us with numerous talents which has to be utilised, as such what I will offer the GDEu is an Executive Board where we will be judged by our deeds at the end of our term. We shall “walk the walk”.
I want to echo here those great moving words of Prophet Isaiah which says: ‘Those whose hopes are in the LORD will get a new strength. They will fly like an eagle, will run and not be tired; they will also walk and will not be weak.’
(R.T.): There are concerns about bickering and misunderstanding of some former Executive members of GDEu and your present administration. How far have you gone in resolving those issues?
(T.M.): In every human situation there are bound to be differences. The key to resolving differences and enhancing the prospects of a long lasting solution at the negotiation table is the attitude of ‘win-win’ and not ‘win-loose’ and of course mutual respect. Public blood bath, be it in the form of e-mail ‘wars’ or trading insults were never part and parcel or ethos of the ‘School of Life’ where I was educated. Often we have our differences with people, and it is well that it should be so. But the moment insult and abuse enter into an argument; it ceases to be an argument and becomes a contest in bitterness. If we become angry and resort to wild words, all we prove is that our case is disturbingly weak.
(R.T.): The GaDangme people are a minority in Ghana, their land covers less than 10% of the landmark of Ghana but in a strategic position with the capital city, Accra. With the increasing influx of other natives to the Region, the population of Greater Accra Region is on the increase. Sanitation, health and the environment is being affected. What are the Union’s plans on these issues?
(T.M.): It is proper and right to assert that we are all Ghanaians, as such we have a fundamental human right to relocate to any part of the country. The right to relocate is associated with equal responsibility and that is where the problems set in. If you go to Rome you will have to learn the Romans language and obey their laws. We have fellow Ghanaians living and others squatting in some parts of Accra who will not make any effort to learn the GaDangme language and most of the time the response you get from them when challenged about the unwillingness to communicate in the local GaDangme language is greeted with insults like: “saa casa fu?”(that ‘dirty’ language?). What are they doing on a land where dirty language is spoken? The ‘Gas’ have a saying: ‘ayii mo bi ni asaa atua le yaafo’(adding insult to injury). With the increased influx of other natives to the GaDangme land, the land is overburdened and stretched of the core services to breaking point. But those who make the trip down south cannot be blamed entirely. We need equitable redistribution of national resources within the country. For example, If we turn a blind eye and fail to assist with the cultivation of rice in the north and resort to cheap imports of rice into the country whereby creating employment in the rice exporting countries, can we then blame the youth of those affected regions for coming to the south in their numbers to seek greener pastures?
Having said that, the GDEu has a duty to raise awareness of impact on the influx of the other natives and the socio- economic and environmental issues posed to the local people by lobbying the GaDangme causes in Parliament. The GaDangme MPs have a vital role to play, they have to raise those burning issues in Parliament; such as the lack of interest in the promotion and teaching of the GaDangme language in local schools in GaDangme areas. The GDEu & GDI internet Radio phone in programmes should aim at raising awareness amongst the GaDangme people about our language, culture and the environment. We also need to liaise with the authourities in the Region to help draw a strategic plan of action to help the local indigenous people who face ‘a new order of colonisation’ in our own native land. It’s well to note here also, of the 26 FM Commercial Radio Stations located in Accra, how many of them promote the GaDangme language? How many of them would allow programmes in GaDangme language to be aired on their Station and how many people have lost their jobs with those FM Stations for speaking GaDangme language on air or have been warned not to speak ‘Ga’?
(R.T.): The GDEu meeting at Gent, in Belgium, recently - the first major meeting since your administration took office - was held in a friendly atmosphere. I enjoyed the sense of humour of some of the delegates. What’s your take on that, being there?
(T.M.): Yes, the atmosphere was fantastic and it clearly indicates that there is new understanding, a growing willingness amongst the GaDangme people in Europe to make it work. The GDEu Executive members are beginning to enjoy their jobs -although not paid. So too are the Review Committee (RC) officers and that spirit of willingness to make it work is growing all the time and with the Almighty God at the helm of our affairs who can stand against us. As I asserted at the meeting, ‘too ni kue mli wa, le eke tsinai yaa niyeli’ (translated:‘the sheep with a strong neck is the one that goes out to eat with the cows’)
(R.T.): Let’s talk again about the Greater Accra Region again. It’s been reported the native’s lands are being sold indiscriminatory by the Chiefs, the Government and also the natives themselves. The language of the GaDangme people appears to be fading fast, to some extent the natives are speaking another local language. I noticed this whilst in Accra this year. In what way is the GDEu prepared to help arrest the situation?
(T.M.): Talk about the fading or the gradual obliteration of the GaDangme language and what comes foremost to my mind was that GREAT Lamentation which says: ‘Ga Wiemo le nkomo Yeli’, (Ga language and lamentation). I learnt this from my mother-in-law, Mrs. Beatrice Kookale Tagoe, the mother of the former Chancellor of University of Legon - Pro. Nii Boi Tagoe.
The GaDangme people have a rich culture and a language rich in traditions and to let it just slip away like that because of calculated forces aimed at drowning the language once and for all cannot be accepted. Let me say this to all who are marshalling forces to get rid of the GaDangme language: So long as the sale of the GaDangme ‘Nmale kronkronn’ (Bible) is on the ascendancy and is the most sought GaDangme book on the book shelves then our hope lives. Furthermore, we also have the backing of the Constitution of Ghana - Under Cultural objectives Section 39 (3) - which states: ‘The State shall foster the development of Ghanaian languages and pride in Ghanaian culture’. There is no mention of fostering the development of a “dominant Ghanaian language” hence the usual pushing “down our throat of a dominant Ghanaian language” and associated expression of ‘saa casa fu’ must be stopped in its tracks. There is the evidence of GaDangme teachers being posted to other Regions to enhance the claim of lack of GaDangme language teachers to teach pupils and students in both Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Accra. Our children in Europe are being taught to learn to speak and read GaDangme language and we have situations in GaDangme land where out-dooring of children of GaDangme decent are being performed in churches. Are we practicing Judaism in the name of Christianity? We don’t have to be Jews to become Christians see Acts Chapter 15 – Council of Jerusalem and the teachings of the Apostle Paul.
(R.T.): What do you expect every native of GaDangme living abroad to do in terms of bringing back their lost heritage and working to help the Region?
(T.M.): There has never been a time in the history of the GaDangme people when we really need to come together to work hard to redeem our lost heritage. Our lands, our culture and language are disappearing very fast in front of our eyes. GDI & GDEu needs every native of the Region in this moment. The bells of the “Re-awakening the GaDangme consciousness” should be ringing loud across every facet of GaDangme life and we must respond accordingly for our salvation lies in our own hands. Nobody will do it for us. We should be willing to stand and be counted in this hour of our need. “Anuu tsofa ahaa helatse, GaDangme bii bee eshe ni esa ni wo te shi ni akane wo”! Hee GaDangme bii nye haa wo fia hao ni wo kee ake “GaDangme baa nye afee no ko’(Nobody takes medicine for a sick person. Gadangme people, a time has come for us to rise and be counted. Gadangme people, let’s put on our belt and say: Gadangme can do something!)
(R.T.): It was said at the meeting in Belgium that the Union is working on sending goods, among others, hospital beds and instruments to some hospitals in the Region. Is this going to be a long term project as the Union plans helping the Region?
(T.M.): This is only the start of things to come. Our approach to the plight of our brothers and sisters in GaDangme land is, ‘bottom up’ and not ‘top down’. It is about finding joint lasting solutions and not “Mr. Ablotsiri” (one coming from abroad) knows all and has ready-made solutions to the problems. We will start with the shipping of those medical equipments and then move on to social enterprises which would generate employment and the profits from such ventures will help generate capital for expansion into other identified areas where we have the capability to make impact and difference to the local economy. We would also take strides into the service industry by ‘tendering for services’ in both the public and private sectors where necessary. Development and review of bushiness plans to enable us sustain a share in the local market will also be a priority. The idea that GaDangme people do not have the appetite for business is a myth which needs to be dispelled through the establishment of business which should be there to stay and not the also run type of businesses.
(R.T.): Mr. Anetey Abbey(a.k.a Alhaji), Founder and President of ‘Bokemei’ Foundation (an NGO based in Holland and affiliated to the Union) briefed the delegates about its works on building Vocational Schools to train mothers, school drop-outs and the jobless in learning a trade to make a living. He also talked about the Organisation’s cassava farms from which the local food, ‘gari’ would be produced at the school. That seems a big task. Is the Union going to get involved in this and if yes how?
(T.M.): We have a very close working relationship with ‘Bokemei’ Foundation. To ensure that the link with ‘Bokemei’ is never off the GDEu Executives radar, they have been penciled in as one of the standard GDEu Executives agenda items. The GDEu Executives has undertaking with ‘Bokemei’ to fund the wages of their teachers when the Vocational School opens. The GDEu will also in collaboration with ‘Bokemei’ be exploring the opening up of a GaDangme Secretariat in Accra as a focal point particularly for GaDangme people resident abroad who would like to assist in future ventures.
(R.T.): What are the immediate plans of the Union?
(T.M.): The setting up the administrative systems and ensuring that the pillars which holds the GDEu together, the likes of the Advisory Board, The Trustee Board, The Audit & Compliance Committee and the Review Committee are not only set up but functioning as they were intended to enable the GDEu to move on to achieve its core aims and objectives. Secondly it is important to pursue the charity status which would help shape the destiny of the GDEu in years to come.
Furthermore, as already highlighted at the meeting in Gent - Belgium, the Executives will ensure that the GDEu has a short term and long term development plans and corresponding business plans fit for the purpose intended and at a proper cost. We are not going to rush into things but with careful planning we will ensure that the ventures earmarked would help create employment and some of the surplus generated would be ploughed back into the business and also invest in good causes such as the sponsoring of the establishment of GaDangme Education Programme (GEP), Training of succession of Quality Leaders, leadership training programmes in our heritage, traditions and Chieftaincy affairs.
(R.T.): Your final words.
(T.M.): The whole current crop of GDEu Executive members are really passionate about the GDEu, we all want to succeed and to lay a sound foundation for the next generation of GDEu leaders. How can we motivate the rest of the Executives members to believe in themselves and to help deliver the GDEu AGENDA? That inspiration has come from a very fragile lady who is dear to my heart - named Naa Ameley (a name associated with the saying in Ga:‘Koo ke ehe nmee’ translated to mean a forest with its characteristics or danger) who in turn inspired me with hope in the ‘living presence of the Almighty God’ who has always been our tower of strength.
(R.T.): Thanks Mr. President. I appreciate your willingness for this interview.
- Reggie Tagoe
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