Baafi affirms strong ties with Krobo, rejects ethnocentric claims

Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben-South in the Eastern Region, Michael Okyere Baafi, has reaffirmed his strong ties with the Krobo community, rejecting allegations of ethnocentric bias and insisting that his remarks have been misinterpreted.

The legislator has responded to allegations that he made ethnocentric remarks, stating that his comments have been misunderstood and taken out of context.

The controversy follows the circulation of a video in which the MP is alleged to have made comments perceived by some sections of the public as targeting a particular ethnic group, including references linked to the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.

In his response, Baafi rejected claims that he intended to demean or discriminate against any ethnic group, insisting that his remarks were not motivated by tribal bias.

He explained that the comments were made within a specific context which, according to him, has not been fully represented in the widely shared clips.

“I have utmost respect for all ethnic groups in Ghana and would never deliberately make statements that undermine our unity as a people,” he indicated.

The MP acknowledged, however, that the manner in which the comments have been received highlights the sensitivity of ethnic issues in national discourse.

He expressed regret over any offence caused and emphasised his commitment to promoting inclusiveness and cohesion within his constituency and beyond.

The incident has drawn criticism from sections of the public and political actors, with some calling for an unqualified apology and urging political leaders to exercise caution in their public utterances.

The lawmaker further called for calm, urging the public to avoid escalating tensions, and reiterated the need for responsible communication among political leaders.

He stressed that Ghana’s strength lies in its diversity and unity, and appealed to stakeholders to focus on issues that foster national development rather than division.

The development has reignited conversations around the use of ethnically sensitive language in Ghanaian politics, particularly in the Eastern Region, where calls for tolerance and mutual respect continue to feature prominently in public discourse.