Dear Chris,
Even though we are facing deepening economic crisis in Ghana, the race of ethnic notions is a bigger problem, gaining stronger roots each day.
When I was working in Takoradi a couple of months ago at the Port (COCOBOD-PBC), the struggle I went through just to get a place to stay and smooth sail of my work all because of past accusations levelled against my ancestors was unbelievable.
Some people just didn’t like me because of my ethnic background.
Submitting proposals and other assignment and negotiating as third party during work meant that you always had to take precautions which insignificantly caused mistrust and tension most at times.
Certain places in Takoradi are death traps for certain groups because of some stupid events created by dead and forever gone people who play no significant role in present times. Same cases have been heard in the Ashanti and Volta Region respectively.
Politically, it’s even worse. Regardless of the potential, being politically affiliated to the party in Power gives you extra benefits and you remain in your position as long as your party stays in power but this reveals nothing about their abilities.
In my family, it is not allowed to a large extent to marry three kinds of Ghanaians– an Ashanti, an opposition party member and a Catholic even though we are also Christians.
The Catastrophe of not abiding by such standards means “You would have to walk alone”.
I have visited my hometown “ADUTOR” in the Volta Region and a lot has not changed. My parents and siblings seem like the revolution and hope of salvaging such inadequacies and eradicating these inferior customs of my people but can they do it alone?
These are problems undermining our progress as a country and I don’t think any government can just come and turn around our situation for the good, unless we as people change our attitudes.
The danger is that we cannot separate ethnic interests from national aspirations, which underscores the prevalence of tribalism in our politics.
The perception of the leader as representing the interests of his particular ethnic group is dangerous but we seem to encourage it in one way or the other.
We can all tell what happens anytime the name of any of our leaders (past or present) is mentioned. The first impulse is to refer to his ethnic group and the images associated with that reference.
This tribal factor has played a dangerous part in our politics and in our everyday life.
How can we only blame our leaders when we are our own enemies?
From: Redeemer Joe Edudzi
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yeah, true.the attitude have to change.the mindset is so backwards.and this people call themselves the chosen special and wise ones who await for fireworks and the son of god to take them to the big man in the sky.they don’t love people for who they are,yet want people to love them as they are *dumbs*
Yh is really true , de need to appreciate one anoda is very important n will help improve our daily lifes n de country as a whole……