“This would serve as a reminder that in our great nation, no one is beyond accountability, and every citizen, regardless of tribe or background, deserves to be treated with the respect they are due.”
Angry Ga/Dangme Youth has reminded the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, that the history, culture and common aspirations of the Ga/Dangme people go beyond “Kenkey and pepper”.
At a press conference, the youth lamented that “instead of luring us into buying your already “dead-on-arrival”, policies you are adding insult to our injuries by claiming that we only think of “Kenkey and pepper.”
The Youth who were angry at the former president for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Ga/Dangme people pointed out that “in your relentless pursuit to lead this country as President, you have chosen to demean the hardworking people of Ghana instead of uplifting them through your policies. Our ethnic group has been one of the few that consistently supported your party, yet we have little to show for our loyalty. After nearly six years in office, we see no tangible development in our communities.”
The Youth pointed out that “to undermine the contributions and heritage of Ga/Dangmes is an insult to the very fabric of this nation. It reflects poorly not only on your candidacy but on the entire political process if such behaviour is tolerated.”
“We demand an immediate and unequivocal retraction of these offensive remarks, along with a public apology to the Ga/Dangme people. Ex-President John Dramani Mahama must take full responsibility for the harm caused and show sincere remorse, not just offer empty words,” the Ga/Dangme Youth said.
The Youth cautioned that “The time for playing politics with people’s identities and intelligence is over. We will not stand idly by while entire communities are demeaned for cheap political points.”
Chanting war songs and highly agitated the Youth was hopeful that their stand against former President John Mahama would stand “as a reminder that in our great nation, no one is beyond accountability, and every citizen, regardless of tribe or background, deserves to be treated with the respect they are due.”
Below is the Ga/Dangme Youth Press Statement:
Press Statement: Call for Immediate Retraction and Apology to the people of Ga/Dangme.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
- We stand before you today deeply disturbed and outraged by the reckless and offensive remarks made by former President John Dramani Mahama, directed at the proud and honourable Ga/Dangme people. Such careless, ignorant, and divisive language has no place in our society, let alone in the discourse of someone aspiring to lead this nation.
- The derogatory statements hurled at the Ga/Dangmes were not only disrespectful but malicious in nature, designed to inflame prejudice and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. We remind former President John Dramani Mahama that every community, tribe, and ethnic group in this country deserves respect, dignity, and equality.
- In your desperate attempt to lead this country as President you have rather resorted to denigrating the poor Ghanaian people rather than empowering through your policies. We are one of the few ethnic groups that has supported your party, yet still we have little to show for our support. Having served as President for almost six years, we cannot point to any development for our communities.
- Instead of luring us into buying your already “dead-on-arrival”, policies you are adding insult to our injuries by claiming that we only think of “Kenkey and pepper”. Mind you, the history, culture and common aspirations of the Ga/Dangme people go beyond “Kenkey and pepper”.
- The Ga/Dangme youth are striving hard to make their society better and as well compete with the rest of the world. If for no reason at all we have produced one of the best space engineers the world can boast of, who is in the person of Dr. Nii Ashitey Trebi Ollenu. Also, Dr Felix Konotey-Ahulu – one of the world’s leading experts on Sickle cell. He developed a method for writing African Tonal languages. We cannot also skip mention of our own Nii Narku Quaynor (Africa’s Father of the internet) – Computer engineer who pioneered internet development throughout Africa. Another is Herman Chinery-Hesse – Ghanaian Software entrepreneur and founder of SOFTribe – the largest Software company in Ghana. The list goes on.
- To undermine the contributions and heritage of Ga/Dangmes is an insult to the very fabric of this nation. It reflects poorly not only on your candidacy but on the entire political process if such behaviour is tolerated.
- We demand nothing less than an immediate, unequivocal retraction of these repugnant comments, followed by a public apology to the Ga/Dangme people. Ex-President John Dramani Mahama must take full responsibility for the harm caused and demonstrate genuine remorse, not empty platitudes. Failing to do so will only confirm what many are beginning to suspect—that he is unfit to hold the highest office in the land.
- To John Dramani Mahama, this is not a suggestion—it is a demand. The time for playing politics with people’s identities and intelligence is over. We will not stand idly by while entire communities are demeaned for cheap political points.
- We call on the public, civil society organizations, and all citizens of conscience to condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms. Let this serve as a reminder that in this great nation, no one is above accountability, and every citizen, regardless of their tribe or background, must be treated with the respect they deserve.
Thank you.
Nii Clottey
Spokesperson
Concerned Ga/Dangme Youth of Chorkor
(0277199003 / 0547095116)
Story: Kwabena Kyekyeku
