Ga-Dangme Chiefs have spoken. And they are explicitly clear in their message. They want President John Dramani Mahama to retain power in this year’s election and have accordingly told their people to vote for the President his ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on December 7.
Their position is simple: Gã-Dangmes will vote for the party which respects their dignity as a people. Gã-Dangmes will vote for the President who is changing the lives of Ga-Dangme people and transforming Ga-Dangme land.’ “JM tsano,” the proclaimed.
In other words, the Ga-Dangme chiefs have told their people to, on December 7, reject the party and presidential candidate that disrespect them and seek to trample on their dignity and ethnic identity , with impunity.
When the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, embarked on his Greater Accra campaign tour for President Mahama last week, he had the President’s message in his mouth for the Chiefs and people of Ga-Dangme. He asked the chiefs and people to retain President Mahama and the NDC in power on December 7.
The first point of call by the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, was the Nungua Traditional Council. That was where the Nungua Mantse dropped the first bombshell.
His Royal Majesty, Odaifio Welentsi III, did not mince words when he pointed out that ”Some people have said that Gãs are useless. Some have said that no Gã qualifies to become running mate and vice president in their party. Some have also said that Gãs should be attacked and killed,” adding that “Listen to what the political parties are saying. I won’t tell you to vote for party A or B, but reject those who speak against Gãs.”
The Nungua Mantse had the full support of the other chiefs present. A number of them also stated clearly in separate speeches that they as chiefs have every right to decide which political party they want to work with in government in developing Gã-Dangme land, and that presently they have an ally in President Mahama and the NDC, who respect their ethnic identity and dignity as a people, an ally for the development that they need and so would do everything in their power to ensure victory for the ruling party in the election.
Without a doubt the Gã chiefs are calling on their people to reject NPP and vote for the NDC because the NDC respects all tribes and grants people from all tribes the opportunity to lead. The NDC has already given an Ewe, a Fanti and a Gonja the opportunity to be President of Ghana. They are confident that one day, Gã-Dangme will have its turn. And so they stand a better chance supporting the NDC which does not discriminate against any tribe.
It is on record that the Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, had insultingly said that there is no “high profiled” Ga-Dangme worthy of choice by the NPP flagbearer as running mate and potential vice president. To him, Gã-Dangmes don’t match up to NPP’s standard for even the second highest office of Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana. According to him, the only one who could fit the bill is the “too old” Prof Mike Oquaye whose age automatically disqualifies him.
It is on record that NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, in 2012, called for the killing of Gãs and Ewes.
It is on record that NPP’s Kofi Kapito of the Consumer Protection Agency fame in the run up to the 2012 elections said repeatedly in a political debate on radio that “Gãs are useless.”
It is also on record- and this is what makes it even more unconscionable- that the NPP and its leadership have demonstrated an open endorsement of these reckless comments of leading members of the party by throwing their full support behind the perpetrators.
Till date, not even a face-saving apology has come from either Kennedy Agyapong or Kofi Kapito to the Gã people for the dangerous comments they made about them. Osei-Kyei Mensah-Bonsu’s rather lame apology obviously has been taken with a pinch of salt.
Can anybody blame Gã chiefs for taking a stan
