The Ghanaian community in the UK, though united in some areas, is divided on political lines to the extent that some refuse to collaborate with the Ghanaian mission in the UK.
Heads of missions to the UK in recent times have tried to use ingenious means to manage the situation but did not yield the desired results. It is so polarised that the majority of the members that constitute the Ghanaian community are believed to be members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) while the minority are considered to have their apron strings tied to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking to the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK in London Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo said “Prior to my arrival, the Ghanaian society in the UK had been polarised to the point that some individuals felt as though they did not belong to the Ghanaian mission or have been ostracised from the mission because they belong to the wrong party”.
I was amazed to see thousands of Ghanaians at a party organised for the Ghanaian community by Akwaaba UK in North London with a quest to unite the Ghanaian people in a far away land. Most Ghanaians that were present have some Ghanaian paraphernalia of a sort just to exhibit their pride to be Ghanaians; they danced together, queued for food and drink together, and laughed and chatted together. It was indeed a lovely occasion. But could there be political daggers behind all the joy and happiness? In a discussion with some of them about the challenges facing them, David Agbelele who has lived in the UK for 35 years without stepping foot in Ghana, said “we are a very nice and hospitable people wherever we find ourselves together, but NPP and NDC politics has over the years divided us. We are more than the number you are seeing but politics is tearing us apart”
If the NDC wins the elections in Ghana there is trouble here, the NPP here are more than the NDC and if the NPP also wins, there is bad blood. Some of us are always keeping at arms length with Ghana’s mission here depending on which political party is in power, a Ghanaian university student Owuraku noted.
Through my discourse with some of the Ghanaians living in UK, I got the impression that the various heads of mission over the years had contributed to this situation, as according to sources, some heads of missions try to work and deal with those who share their political ideologies and leave those who do not to rot in their plight.
How can these problems be managed under Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, who has been the head of the UK mission for one and half years now, in light of the President Mill’s declaration of a father for all? He said, “I am not here to represent any political party but to represent the Republic of Ghana; I’m here to serve the Ghanaian community and, regardless of their political colouration, they are entitled to services from the mission, period” the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK stated.
He explained that, people who belong to the government of the day should not see it as a monopoly of theirs. “To say that my party is in power and therefore I will not allow individuals who belong to other political persuasions to visit or be rendered service at the mission, or if my party is not in power then I will have nothing to do with the mission will not bring progress”.
Kwame Akoto told me he has never been to the high commission and will never do as far as the NDC stays in power because he believes he will not be given the desired attention, judging from where he is coming from.
But should our imaginations, beliefs, perceptions and political leanings cloud our thinking in so much that one refuses to possess or achieve what rightfully belongs to him/them? If the mission is there to serve Ghanaians and yet on political grounds some refuse to deal with it, then there is a serious problem that party politics must be held responsible for.
The Ghana High Commissioner Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo indicated that he is there to unite and serve Ghanaians and make them feel a part of the mission, because the status quo will not bring results. He called on all Ghanaians in the UK to come together and form the kind of relations that will move Ghana forward in a positive direction as opposed to this divisive tendency. He also said that he, together with the other staff, are putting in place measures that will unite Ghanaians and see themselves as one people with a common destiny.
He further added that he will not relent in his quest to unite the Ghanaian community, remove the myth surrounding the mission and ensure that Ghanaians feel comfortable doing business with the mission.
He said some of the people who thought they could not do business with the government in power have now started approaching him personally; he responds to their call, building their confidence and now a lot more are approaching him to enquire about their intention to invest in Ghana and the opportunities therein. “This is exactly why I am here, my doors are always open to the NDC, NPP, PNC or whatever political party you belong” he said.
According to him, the NDC government is for all and will not renege in its bid to give any Ghanaian anywhere the necessary attention and support. “My brothers and sisters, do not let politics divide us; let us always agree to disagree and see ourselves as one people to make Ghana’s position on the globe an enviable one to the rest of the continent” the Prof concluded.
Indeed party politics have divided and is still dividing a lot of communities, have brought untold hardships on their people and have the potential of destroying a society. Let us look at Somalia, Liberia, and Rwanda among other examples and jealously guide the peace and security we are currently enjoying. Whatever affects one should affect all. Let us unite behind political lines and prove to ourselves that in unity there is strength.
Story by: Samuel Ablordeppey
samuelablordepey@yahoo.com
