STATEMENT: Former President Rawlings Condemns Dzifa Attivor

Former Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor, who has come under severe criticism over tribal comments she passed a few days back, has come under fire from former President Jerry John Rawlings.
In a statement, the ex-President called Attivor’s inciting comments distasteful- indicating that kind of politics is destructive to the nation.
He also defended the NPP flagbearer from the charges of ethnocentrism labeled against him by the former Minister, saying whatever his faults, Nana Addo cannot be accused of tribalism.
“I find it distasteful that aside making ethnocentric references accusing the NPP Presidential candidate of being tribalistic, she also insinuated that because I was the Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the electorate in the Volta Region should vote for the party on that basis.” the statement read.

“I do not subscribe to the politics of ethnic bias and never have. While I may not be a fan of the NPP, I know their presidential candidate is not tribalistic or ethnocentric. Whatever Nana Addo’s shortcomings, tribalism is not one of them,” it concluded.
Dzifa Attivor, in comments she passed a few days ago, had claimed that NDC has to be retained in power because if Nana Akuffo-Addo came into power, he would imprison Ewe politicians like herself.
The comments have drawn widespread condemnation, for its pandering to the worst elements of tribalism embedded in Ghana’s politics.
Below is the statement in full….
STATEMENT ON ETHNOCENTRIC COMMENTS BY DZIFA ATTIVOR
My attention has been drawn to a statement made by a former Minister for Transport, Dzifa Attivor at a political event at Wodoaba in the Volta Region.
I find it distasteful that aside making ethnocentric references accusing the NPP Presidential candidate of being tribalistic, she also insinuated that because I was the Founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the electorate in the Volta Region should vote for the party on that basis.
Before making such unfortunate statements let’s remove the logs in our own eyes.
I do not subscribe to the politics of ethnic bias and never have. While I may not be a fan of the NPP, I know their presidential candidate is not tribalistic or ethnocentric. Whatever Nana Addo’s shortcomings, tribalism is not one of them. Some known and respected Voltarians like Nutifafa Kuenyehia should be able to testify to his political nature.
As we draw closer to the next Presidential and Parliamentary elections we all as Ghanaians expect ALL PARTIES involved in the process to base their arguments and campaign rhetoric on the truth and desist from emotional and non-factual statements, especially where my name has to be mentioned.
I implore the electorate not to allow immature behaviour and pronouncements to cloud their judgement.
Thank you.