Politicians taking advantage of long existing tribalism in Ghana - Lecturer

Political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mohammed Abass has commended the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II for expressing disgust at tribalism and how politicians are taking undue advantage of it.

The Asantehene is accusing politicians of being the cause of divisions and tribalism in the country.

According to him, the country was closely knit and was united until the emergence of party politics with the attendant polarization of the hitherto peaceful atmosphere.

The Asantehene who was speaking during the Akwasedae celebrations at the Manhyia Palace where he invited the Awomefia of the Anlo State, Togbi Sri III as the special guest of honour, called on politicians to refrain from dividing the nation through their pronouncements.

"Asantes and Ewes are one people. When I became the Otumfuo I have continuously sought peace for Ghana and Asanteman and so whatever we will do to achieve peace and unity for Ghana, that is my heart’s desire. It is true that I am the Asantehene but if any evil befalls an Ewe or a Dagomba it affects me too’’ he said.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II continued ‘’the chieftaincy institution had long been in existence before politics came into being with the concomitant lies, fabrications and propaganda seeking to destroy the hitherto health relations between Asantes andEwes as well as other tribes and I don’t know where all this is coming from’’Otumfuo opined.

Reacting to the comments, the lecturer commended the traditional ruler for the courage and boldness but said the problem has been in existence for many years and even in the post colonial days.

He also admonished the media to champion the campaign against tribalism.

The campaign against tribalism he noted will not be an easy task because it has a deep root within us and has become our habit.

"Fighting tribalism is not going to be an easy task. It is going to be difficult because it is deep seated in us but we can fight it through a policy where we do not recruit people based on their tribal lines in the public sector. We have to adopt a strategy from the highest level and a sustained strategy.’’

When asked to state if politicians have created tribal sentiments, he did not state that emphatically but explained that the issue of tribalism has been with us since ages.

He said, politics has taken advantage of tribalism, which was already in existence due to our failure to work as one.

Ghana will witness an automatic development if it is able to fight against tribalism,the lecturer indicated.

In his view, the sense of national unity and cohesion should be at the fore front of every political leader in order for us to develop together. We should have guidelines for fighting tribalism just other countries have, he suggested.

It is a delicate issue and so we have to be careful how we discuss it, he added.