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Group warns Ga-Adangme Concerned Youth against tribal politics

kencitymediagh
Jan 26, 2017
2 min read

A group calling itself Tema Residents in Development (TRID) has condemned Ga-Adangme Concerned Youth for threatening to demonstrate against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo if he appoints persons who are non-Ga-Adangme to the position of MMDCEs in the Greater Accra Region.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, spokesperson for Tema Residents in Development (TRID), Mr. Percy Opata took a strong stand against the threat by the Ga-Adangme Concerned Youth.

He argued that it was unconstitutional for the group to demand that the President appoints only indigenous Ga-Adangme in the sense that it contradicted the provisions of article 35(5) of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

“Article 35(5), of our constitution prohibits discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of ethnic origin and actively promote the integration of the people of Ghana…” he stated.

Percy Opata, who accused the Ga-Adangme Concerned Youth for fueling tribal politics in the Greater Accra region, urged Ghanaians to speak against their action.

“We are therefore calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn this uncharacteristic behaviour and speak against it.”

“This is very dangerous for cohesion and peaceful coexistence within the nation. We want to put on record that the Greater Accra region and for that matter Tema does not only comprise Ga speaking people.”

It would be recalled that at a press conference last Tuesday, January 17, 2017, the Ga-Adangme Concerned Youth led by Nii Yaafio called on President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure that all his MMDCES appointees in the Greater Accra region were solely of Ga-Adangme descent.

The group went further to state that, “this has been the trend since the NDC under late Prof. Mills and former President Mahama.”

“We are making it clear to the government that we will not agree to the appointment of non Ga-Adangme to the position of MMDCES,” the group threatened.

However, responding to the issue, Percy Opata rejected claims by the group saying “our investigations have so far revealed that this assertion is totally false and a clear evidence of dishonesty on the part of the group.

“A typical example was the former NDC MCE for Tema in the person on Mr. Robert Kempes Ofosuware. He is an indigene of Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern region of Ghana, yet he was embraced by the Tema traditional council.”

“This discriminatory attitude must not be tolerated,” he said.

He argued that the appointment to the position of MMDCES should be based on competence, dedication, loyalty and commitment to the government and not necessarily on tribal grounds.

He challenged the group to prove that indigenous Ga-Adangme’s who have served as MMDCEs had performed better than the non Ga-Adangme’s in the Greater Accra region.

Percy Opata urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo - Addo to disregard the “divisive” demand by the group and appoint people with proven track record to assist him to deliver on his campaign promises to Ghanaians.

“We humbly urge H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo - Addo not to succumb to this divisive, erroneous interpretation of the constitution and empty Ga-Adangme youth but appoint people with proven track record, Loyal and Selfless individuals who share in his government vision irrespective of their tribal balance for such positions as promised by his Excellency himself during the campaign.”

Story By: Michael Creg Afful/cregafful2016@gmail.com