Former Trade Minister Dr Ekow Spio-Gabrah has revived an old attack against the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), which he labelled as a tribal party.
He said while the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) accommodates non-Akans, the same could not be said about it arch political rival, the NPP.
Speaking after an NDC press conference to announce its manual registration exercise, Dr Spio-Gabrah said the NPP is purely a tribal entity.
“The [NDC] is a party that has had Presidents from the Volta, Central and Northern Regions [but] this is not the case in the NPP,” he told Joy News’ Joseph Ackah-Blay.
The two parties have a history of trading tribal claims in their attempt to win votes, a ploy that peaked in the lead up to the 2016 general elections.
Spio-Gabrah's comments is a recycled version of the then President John Mahama's call to voters in the three regions of the North to vote for the NDC because it is the only party that allows Northerners to rise to the height of political power.
John Mahama and the NDC General Secretary Asiedu Nketia have all suggested the NPP would reject Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia if he attempts to contest for the presidential candidate of his party because he hails from the North.
Former Finance minister Osafo Maafo was also accused of making ethnocentric comments in a recorded video in which he is said to have argued that only persons from resource-rich regions should become president.
The suggestion was that resource-rich regions are largely Akan dominated areas where NPP has its strongholds. But the leading NPP figure maintained the February 2015 recording was doctored.
Mr Spio-Gabrah tipped to contest for the NDC flagbearer in 2018, said the NPP is more tribal because it has precluded non-Akans from becoming flagbearer of the party.
"The party [NDC] is nationally based but there are some parties which have declared that their leader should not come outside the five Akan regions," he said referring to Osafo Maafo's 2015 comment.
But Deputy General Secretary, Nana Obiri-Boahen has dismissed the claim on Joy FM's Top Story, saying it is "unacceptable and historically incorrect."
"I was expecting him to speak like a mature politician and not a neophyte," he told Evans Mensah host of the programme, adding Dr Spio-Gabrah lowered his standard with his tribal comment.
Political scientist, Dr Bossman Asare said the nature of Ghana's politics makes it possible for people to make statements that are "unacceptable" like what Dr Spio-Gabrah made.
He said the NPP could no longer be described as a tribal party because of its performance in last year's election especially in the three regions of the north.
"The media should be discouraging this kind of discussions," the Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana said.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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it is simply shameful to refer to spio garbrah as (dr.). he is certainly not; all his phds are honorary degrees given by certain universities; i don't even know one of them. and he has never written any dissertation or done any research work to be awarded a phd.
What twisted mindset Emma. ***barred word*** talk. Bawumia will be flagbearer not because he is a northener but because he is the most competent amongst those who will compete for the flagbearer position in future. We don't want any square pegs in round holes. If Mahana had fought for the presidency and won due to his competency I am sure he would have appreciated the job more and Ghana would have benefited from good governance, maybe the NDC wouldn't have been where they are today. As for Spio, he has confirmed the saying that people won't realise how ***barred word*** you are until you open your mouth. Anyone who uses ethnocentric moments to campaign or seek political points will have nothing to offer this country.
Still doing colo politics. You think Ghanaians believe that? Give deceiving yourself. How many regions this NPP win this time around. Ghanaian have become very discerning and we don't be that kind of C.R.A.P from no less a person like you. Some of you guys may have Phd's but but you don't think PHD. I dont think you even qualify to be a flagbearer of you party. You Talk like a child. For F.U.C.k sake talk like a PHD Holder. ***barred word***
Ekow Spio Garbrah possesses 32 diplomas, 17 Bachelor degrees, 10 Masters and 3 honourary doctorates on his CV, not to talk of numerous certificates. But if you have observed always he does not speak as an enlightened and mature person despite the fact that he is well past his retiring age of 60 years. This indicates that good academic record does not connote wisdom. Well if he intends to win the party's flagbearership with this i.di.o.ti.c antics I belief his own NDC have seen the sort of person he is an will reject him with much humiliation than that of John Mahamah's
spio is digging his own grave for such use less commentary.Volta commends the highest voters for NDC so why are they not picking presidential candidates from there. Is Spio Suggesting the people of Volta Region are not upright to lead the party? Think before you talk.
BUT SPIO GARBRAH SAID THE TRUTH. THAT FACT IS NOT A HIDDEN SECRET THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR A NON-AKAN TO LEAD THE NPP. IF NPP THINK OTHERWISE THEY SHOULD PROOF IT BY LETTING BAWUMIA TO LEAD THE PARTY AFTER NANA ADDO'S EXIT.
I now understand why KoKu said doctor my foot. Such and innnnfffantile statement.
This tactics to win flagbearership will not be good for Spio. NDC has no one to lead them.
A VOLTARIAN CAN NEVER NEVER WIN POWER IN GHANA ONLY THROUGH THE BACK DOORS AND GATES PERIOD. MASTER WHICH VOLTARIAN BECOME A PRESIDENT IN GHANA THROUGH THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS OR THROUGH THE PARTISAN POLITICS? JOHN JERRY RAWLINGS INITIALLY WAS THROUGH THE BACK DOOR AS A ***barred word*** HMMMMMMMMMMMM. TELL ME WHO WHO WHO SHAME YOU MASTER SPIO G.
This guy Spio is not fit for any responsible position in Ghana. This tells you about the caliber of those in NDC . The statement is pathetic and shameful as well as idi,.,.o. T..ic , silly and st.u,.,p,.i. D. If what he is saying is the reality who in NDC can be president since these Alan’s are in the majority and the others in the Minority. Let’s us not play this ***barred word*** tribal/ethnocentric bigotry that has has destroyed many countries/nations. NDC is divisive, manipulative liars and nation wreckers. These bunch of looters don’t deserve to lead Ghanaians. Does Spio think all Ghanaians are gullible or what? We are wide awake. Akromfour kuoo NDC. Nyame Nana ebe tuaa mo ka. Gyimifour