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Tribal politics is dangerous, it has destroyed nations. Rwanda’s bitter experience is fresh in many minds.

Nobody is ready to entertain selfish politicians who seek to exploit vulnerable electorates. Dzifa Attivor did not misrepresented facts. She gaffed when probably she suggested a vote for Mahama will save her and Fiifi Kwetey from going to jail. The former Transport Minister has been widely criticized and she will never forget those supposedly loose comments.

And it’s a great relief for Ghana’s fledgling democracy.

Former President Jerry Rawlings, Founder of the NDC was blunt in his brief statement. “I do not subscribe to the politics of ethnic bias and never have…. 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. I implore the electorate not to allow immature behaviour and pronouncements to cloud their judgement”. That is interesting!!

I have listened to those who have taken advantage to nail the NDC and desperate attempts by some NDC fanatics to defend what the former Transport Minister said. That is politics.

But I find it strange and dangerous when political mischief clouds what people say. I have heard senior Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science, Dr Amoako Baah and Technology on several radio stations speaking to the issue. He is right to condemn Dzifa Attivor’s unfortunate statement but he is very wrong to draw a wedge between Ewes and Ashantis.

Dzifa Attivor never mentioned Ashantis in her statement. Amoako Baah’s argument that those suspected to have milked the state cannot hide behind poor electorates to cover up is strong and we all wish to fight officials found culpable of corruption.

But it is pure intellectual dishonesty and an insult to the larger public when people like Dr Amoako Baah play mischief. Is he concluding that NPP is an Akan party and so Dzifa’s comment was pitching Ewes against Akans or Ashantis?

This is a transcription of what Mrs Attivor said. ““When the NPP came to power in 2001, a lot of our people were sent to prison; Victor Selormey, Dan Abordakpui, and so on, was imprisoned. Does that mean no other individual from other tribes committed crime in Ghana? But it was only Ewes that they jailed.

"I want to entreat you not do anything for me and Fiifi Kwetey go to prison. It lies with you all to ensure that no Ewe person goes to prison. So I am pleading with you to work hard and deliver the 120 thousand vote target for the party in the constituency,”

So are those raising the Ewe-Ashanti doing so deliberately? Are they equally prosecuting a dangerous agenda and for who?  Does it have the potential of misleading people whose opinions are well respected? Can such media houses rather end up plunging this nation into chaos? Is anybody bold enough to condemn such evil acts?

Some are seeking to equalize issues. I find that unfortunate.

How can Dzifa Attivor’s comment and intent be compared with this? “Today I declare war in this country, Gbevlo-Lartey and his people, IGP should know this. Voltarians in the Ashanti Region will not be spared. If anyone touches you, butcher him with a cutlass…”  This was Kennedy Ohene Agyapong in 2012.

What about NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo’s “Y3n Akan fuo” and  “all-die-be-die” war cry ahead of the 2012 general elections? The taped message was specific that the NPP will use all means possible to win power and that if the results do not favour him, the party would ensure that Ghana suffers violence.

The NPP has condemned the statement. That is good. But why has Nana Addo never publicly condemned one of his Kyebi Lieutenants Atta Akyea’s who planned to import  dead bodies to the Volta Region with the intention of providing evidential support to impugn the integrity of the elections in the Volta region.

What about Anthony Karbo in his leaked tape in which he said they should target Ayigbey (Ewe) Generals and Brigadiers in the Army?

NPP activists speaking to this issue must know that their low votes in the Volta region is a result of subtle threats and lack of respect for people in that region. Astute politician and statesman, JH Mensah openly said some years back that the aim of their Fast Track court prosecutions was to destroy the NDC. Kwabena Agyepong has also been once caught on tape claiming there are no human beings in the Volta region. And digging historical facts, Appolo 568 was suffered by Ewes when NPP family took power in 1969.

We abhor tribal politics but equalizing Dzifa’s gaffe with much more dangerous comments from the NPP which has been sustained is wrong. Those overly attacking her personality must be fair to her. Those media houses using their platforms for political mischief will be exposed. And they should know that it was similar very deliberate reportage to cause hatred that created problems elsewhere in Eastern Africa, They should know that any action that backfires will equally hit them.

I rest my case.