WE Today believe that Ghana does not need comments that will divide us as a people, instead what we need are words of exhortation, encouragement and fair criticisms which can bind us together so as to help us build a strong and a formidable country.
IT is for this reason that we unreservedly condemn the ethnocentric comments made by former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Martin Amidu, at the weekend on Joy FM’s News File programme, predicting that no northerner may be elected president of Ghana within the next 20 to 30 years.
ACCORDING to the former A-G, the conduct of President John Dramani Mahama was responsible for his rather gloomy prediction, claiming “Northerners are largely perceived to be straightforward, truthful, honest and incorruptible.” However, he was reported to have expressed disappointment in President Dramani Mahama, who is a northerner, for what he described as “damaging” that brand, hence his prediction.
YES, Mr. Amidu may have one or two issues with the way President Dramani Mahama has been handling the affairs of this country, particularly when it comes to the issue of fighting corruption. But that does not mean that all northerners are incompetent or corrupt and that they cannot govern this country when given the opportunity.
IT is in the light of his disparaging comment that we on Today call on Mr. Amidu to retract and apologise for his rather unfortunate comments against all northerners. That notwithstanding, we on this paper still believe that irrespective of what Mr. Amidu thinks about President Dramani Mahama’s governance style, there are equally incorruptible and efficient northerners in Ghana today like Mr. Martin Amidu himself if when given the opportunity can bring the necessary changes the country needs, unless Mr. Amidu thinks himself otherwise.
IN fact, the contributions of northerners to the socio-economic development of this country cannot be overlooked, considering the roles they have played in the country’s democratic dispensation. And in building a strong democracy, every Tom, Dick and Harry is important let alone ethnic groups.
WHAT we need is a united front to confront our challenges and not a divided one at this time that we are preparing for a general election in 2016. And what we must guard against are comments which have the tendency to tear the country apart and stall development.
THERE is no doubt that Mr. Amidu is one of the finest politicians in the country at the moment, but for him to make such a comment was indeed uncalled for and must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians who believe Ghana must be placed first in everything we do.
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