It has come to our notice that one Mr Solomon Nkansah, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress recently made some disparaging remarks about Ashantis on Adom FM. The said comments have generated consternation and some condemnation.
We will do a disservice to the peaceful people of Ghana and in particular the Ashanti region should we decide to utilize all the options we have to give a deserving response to his reproachful remarks. However, we consider it useful and of value to highlight a few things through this medium. He will hear from us in another form should he make it necessary.
What Solomon Nkansah said: “every shameless act related to politics comes from Ashanti Region. They have gained more notoriety when it comes to politics. Every ill-fated political demonstration comes from them and nothing good comes from the region. Had it not been for their recognised and well respected king, they would have been insulted all the time”. These remarks are undoubtedly designed to provoke and incite tribal vituperations. They are symptomatic of condescending behaviour towards Ashantis and a reflection of a deep seated dislike for the benign attributes of warmth, compassion, forbearance and magnanimity that characterise the people with allegiance to the Golden Stool.
One wonders why most of such unfortunate remarks come from members of the political party to which Solomon Nkansah belongs. Even more shocking is that nobody in his political party finds it necessary to rebuke him. Let it be known to Solomon Nkansah and his likes that they may gain some political advantage from such tribal politics in the short term but in the long run, it will fall flat. Hopefully, many more Ghanaians would have access to formal education by then, an objective the Ashanti Professionals Club seeks to promote.
It is important for Solomon Nkansah and people in his bandwagon, to be reminded that since the days of the British, the Kingdom of Ashanti and its people have suffered much persecution and disdain. Yet, like the porcupine, the Kingdom and its subjects have remained ever vibrant, industrious, relevant, dynamic and undaunted. The Kente, fufu, adowa, akwasidae are a few of the vestiges of an enduring and celebrated Ashanti culture and tradition. We ask Solomon Nkansah: “have you per chance heard of the brave gallant woman called Yaa Asantewaa?” It seems Solomon has limited appreciation of history, but more worrisome is his skewed and dense education. For it is only a reprobate and obtuse mind that would fail to acknowledge the glorious contribution of Ashantis and its people to the socio-economic and political development of this nation.
Let him be reminded, that Ghana is currently in the throes of a simmering discontent, fuelled by cascading effects of bad governance, mismanagement of resources, incompetence in economic management, wanton spending and unbridled corruption. Yet, Solomon and his ilk would console themselves with making statements that find no resonance in dealing with the avalanche of issues for which, he seems clueless in addressing. May we urge Solomon Nkansah and those that share similar sentiments in his political party, the ruling NDC to invest a bit more time and energy in engaging in a deep thinking exercise capable of birthing some novel solutions to our teething problems. The people of Asanteman, like all Ghanaians, deserve to see the realisation of a true better Ghana, not an unwarranted and desperate attack on their rights to exercise their freedom of speech.
Let Solomon Nkansah and his likes be reminded that the Ashantis of yesteryears, whose accolade is ‘warriors’ with the wo kum apem a, apem beba slogan, are still the Ashantis of today. We have won wars, we have conquered nations and have successfully preserved our heritage even in the midst of westernization. If being proud speakers of our language, spenders of our hard earned wealth, display of our proud culture and our industrious nature make people like Solomon Nkansah uncomfortable, we can only say sorry.
We can tell, that the women who staged a demonstration in Kumasi to show the difficulties they are experiencing nowadays need sound answers from mature communicators of a ruling government. Where was Solomon Nkansah when countless demonstrations were staged by people of different walks of life in other regions? How can a permitted non-violent demonstration by innocent women in the Ashanti Region spark such attacks on the people of Asanteman where he seeks to attain 1 million votes in 2016 elections?
Through our King we have resolved in these contemporary times that we wage war on illiteracy and poverty to attain higher education, economic development and social welfare for our people. Solomon Nkansah should not for a moment misconstrue the tolerance, neighbourliness, loving kindness and hospitality of Ashantis as a weakened Ashanti Kingdom and take undue advantage to use Ashantis and sometimes, Akans to pursue tribal politics. If they do not see this as a danger to the stability of Ghana, then we do not intend to turn our back on the Golden stool. We shall defend the Golden stool, Asanteman and its enviable heritage any day any time.
Long live Asanteman! Long live Ghana! Asante Kotoko, wo kum apem a, apem beba.
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