THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GHANAIAN
COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA (NAGHACON) AT THEIR 7TH ANNUAL MEETING
HELD IN CALABAR IN THE CROSS RIVER STATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
OF NIGERIA ON 30TH OCTOBER, 2010
We the Delegates of Ghanaians in all the States of Nigeria who are bound together under the auspices of the National Association of Ghanaian Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON), an umbrella Association of Ghanaians in Nigeria which is non-tribal, non-political and non-religious, in our 7th Annual National Council of NAGHACON meeting held in the beautiful town of Calabar, Cross River State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 30th October, 2010 took critical look at several issues and happenings in Ghana lately which raise serious concerns and threaten the stability, unity, development, moral decency in hitherto our beautiful and world acclaimed decent and steadily developing society.
We therefore issue this communiqué, believing that Government, Religious Leaders, Traditional Chiefs, Opinion Leaders and the good people of Ghana will all put hand on deck to salvage the unfortunate situation our country finds itself now.
After appraising the present political, social, cultural and economic situations in Ghana as we see them today, we express fears and serious concerns that if something drastic is not done and very soon Ghana and Ghanaians will be robbed of the peace, unity and stability the nation has enjoyed over the years. Some of the areas of concern we have identified are as follows:
1. UNHEALTHY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
a) In Ghana Politics, groups like Azuka Boys exist for National Democratic Congress (NDC) and recently Bamba Boys has been formed for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). It is an established fact that these Groups (‘BOYS’) are thugs (‘Macho Men’) put together by these Political Parties and their only business is VIOLENCE which they are unleashing upon the nation right now at every slightest opportunity, during political campaigns and elections. We are forced to ask whether VIOLENCE is a tool for development which political parties that mean well for a nation they want to govern should promote? In our opinion this action is unacceptable and condemnable. We strongly suggest to Parliament to enact a law banning formation of such Groups in Ghana Politics.
b) The way Youths and members of Political Parties take laws into their hands and attack Political Office holders not because the said Office Holders are not performing well for the country but because their personal interests alone are not taken care of is regrettable. Youths of today’s Ghana must realize that there are laws in Ghana to be respected, the interest of Ghana comes first, there must be fairness, equity and justice in sharing the national cake. Above all they must realize that Ghana is bigger than any individual or a group of individuals. It is the responsibility of Parents, Political Leaders and Elders of the land to advise and caution these Youths to behave themselves and put up conduct that ensures peace and orderliness in the society.
c) People now seem to be deriving joy from deliberately launching negative and image destroying attacks on Political personalities in the country. This is unhealthy and capable of generating hatred, disunity and instability.
d) It is obvious that Tribal politics is gradually emerging in Ghana. Have forgotten about the dangerous consequences of tribal politics? We wish to warn that the unity and peace of our dear country Ghana is threatened. It is necessary for us to remind our Ghanaian leaders, Politicians, Traditional Rulers and the general public that wars and suffering all over Africa are caused by tribal sentiments, we should therefore make concerted effort to nib tribal politics in the bud.
e) POLITICS OF INSULTS and indecent language now going on in Ghana is becoming unbecoming, it is primitive, irresponsible and unpatriotic and must be stopped.
2. PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
We wish to appeal that contributions of emerging organizations like Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), Alliance for Responsible Opposition (AFRO), etc. in Ghana’s politics should be made to be positive and productive instead of the current trend of being at each other’s throat. They should always be conscious of the interest of Ghana and the love we share as one people.
3. MISUSE OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH & RESPECT FOR LEADERS
a) When our leaders sort to give us Freedom of Speech the motive, we believe, was to teach us how to be honest and sincere, to tell the truth to build progressive and a better society; they did not give us “FREEDOM TO INSULT OR CAUSE DISAFFECTION”. The few Ghanaians who use FM Stations as platform for Misuse of Freedom of Speech by telling lies against others and say things that generate crisis and confusion must change.
b) THE TOTAL ABSENCE OF RESPECT FOR OUR PRESIDENTS (PAST AND PRESENT), AND NATIONAL LEADERS IS CRUEL, UNACCEPTABLE AND CONDEMNABLE AND MUST BE STOPPED BY ALL MEANS. The Youth of Ghana today should learn to appreciate and respect our leaders and elders so that by the time they grow to replace the present older generation they would be treated likewise. It is not just easy to become a leader and bear other people’s responsibilities; it takes a lot of hardwork, discipline, sacrifice, risks and many more to be a leader. It is painful when you give so much for people only for them to turn round to disrespect you, especially when those involved have not or cannot achieve what you have achieved given the same opportunities and circumstances.
4. THE MEDIA
We call on the Media (the electronic and the print media in Ghana) especially the FM stations to encourage the culture of respect, use of decent language, political and social tolerance, patriotism and unity of the Ghanaian people. The should practice responsible and patriotic journalism devoid of partisanship, dishonesty, ethnicity, untruth, aggression, sensationalism, incitement for the overall interest and good of Ghana.
5. IMMORALITY
Immoral practices among the youth of Ghana these days are on the increase, discipline in the society seems to have gone on holidays and it is a very disturbing development. We are tempted to say that Ghanaian family values are undermined, Parents, Teachers and Religions appear to be failing in their responsibilities to shape characters and conduct of our children or probably they are not doing enough these days. Let us do our best to reverse this trend all hands must be on deck.
It is our prayer that God in his infinite mercy should restore Ghana to its past glory.
LONG LIVE GHANA
DATED THIS 1ST NOVEMBER, 2010 IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GHANAIAN COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA (NAGHACON) BY:
SETH KERCHIRI JAMES KWEGYIR-AGGREY
NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY NATIONAL PRESIDCENT
STEPHEN BOACHIE-KWARTENG
NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
