Kwamena Duncan has lashed out at the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Fiifi Kwetey, over the latter's recent ethnocentric comments regarding Ghana's elections.
He has also bemoaned the fact that nearly a week after the remarks were made, the NDC has not thought it prudent to distance itself from it.
Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" Wednesday morning, the former Central Minister quoted Fiifi Kwetey as saying Ghana's elections are a contest between Voltarians and Ashantis.
According to Kwamena Duncan, the NDC bigwig sought to pitch the two tribes against each other by denigrating the Asante clan in the country.
He found Mr. Kwetey's comments very distasteful but noted the NDC General Secretary's comments reflect the true character of the opposition party.
"When I heard the voice, I cringed...A General Secretary of a political party could reduce the entire country to this level, that the elections is between Ewes against Asantes. Wow! So, he means if you are an Asante in the NDC, you don't belong...The NDC is telling us that if they come into office, they must not be hearing names like Sarpong, Opoku...These are the enemies of the people", he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.
Kwamena admonished Ghanaians to beware of the NDC, especially as the nation goes into the polls on December 7.
"I tell you this is the policy and trademark of the party because they don't accept it, this man made these very, very potentially divisive explosive remarks more than a week ago, the party has not, as we speak, issued a statement to dissociate itself...It is the conception they have about the people of Ashanti Region. This country is bigger, far, far bigger but it is a major caution to all of us", he cautioned.
Background
The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Kwetey is said to have incited people of the Volta Region to compel their children and the youth in the Region to refrain from making independent political choices but only accept the NDC as their favorite political party.
“It looks as if it is wrong for us, Volta people, to take NDC as a religion. There is nothing wrong with that. Some of our young people from Volta, think it is something of pride to say as for us we are not like our fathers and uncles, we believe we should not [just accept something they believe in, and that it is something of pride to choose to be independent minded].
“This party [NDC] may not be the perfect party. It may not be a party that has always delivered on all its promises, but it is our responsibility to ensure that our children remain loyal to this commission to be able to make it better, Fiifi Kwetey is heard saying in a voice recording.
“If you watch what happens in Ashanti and the Eastern Region, they understand that their party must be their party, and nothing changes. Somehow, they appreciate that they must not forsake their party because this must become a religion. Your religion may not be the best, but that is your religion, and it is your responsibility to make sure you fix it.”
The NDC General Secretary reportedly told NDC supporters in a secret meeting in the Volta Region.
He is also quoted as saying “I think we must let our people [Voltarians] appreciate that this is who we are. If you go to America today if you go to New York State, the democratic party is like a religion, through rain or shine, that is your political party. If you go to California, it is the same. If you go to places where the Republicans are, it is the same. There is nothing wrong with it".
It is these remarks that Kwamena Duncan excoriated while delivering his submissions on Kokrokoo this morning.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
@Bediako. let Voltarians vote for the NDC and all Akans including the Asantes to vote for the NPP, and let's see which party will rule Ghana forever. Fiifi uttered a loosely and must be reprimanded rather than praised.
Well said, Fiifi Kwetey. Urge all voltarians to vote for ndc.. that's where they belong. The npp doesn't respect voltarians that's why this president can openly insult their chief, saying he the chief can go ahead and complete the school block after the chief sought to know when it will be completed. Can nana addo say same to the Okyehene or ashanti here?? Wake up Voltarians.
Nana Abakah you and your fiifi kotre are now the most dangerous people in Ghana. When did the president tell you he didn't develop the central region because they didn't vote for him? Ayela you are another which part of Asante is ndc forbidden? Go and check the records ndc votes in Asante always exceed that of the central region.
I have always maintained that these NDC youth politicians, described by the founder of the NDC as the boys with sharp teeth, undoubtedly lack political expediency and are still in their elements of mock campus politics. What they are best at is shouting and hurling insults from the rooftops in order to get noticed for political appointments. To the extent that even this act qualifies them to be proposed for the position of Vice President in the upcoming elections. Obviously, this behaviour of playing the tribal card of bigotry to gain votes is certainly out of frustration and political immaturity. I have four great Ashanti friends who are happily married to four great Ewe women of all standards.
This Togolese must go back to his country and leave Voltarians alone. What has (P)NDC done for Volta Region? Nothing.
the comment by NDC GS and that of Nana Addo which of then is more dangerious? Kwamena Duncan you are a disaapoitment to CR, why didnt you comment when the president said he didnt develop CR region because they didnt vote for NPP MP. if a president who sworn to serve the country now want to serve people who voted for him, what did NPP say. what is wrong for someone to say let identify ourselve to a particular group or party. kokroko program should stop discussion group or party or person who has no representation to respond
Kwamena Duncan what’s wrong with what Fiifi Kwetey said? Go to the Ashanti and some parts of Eastern regions and mention that you belong to NDC and see what the indigenes will perceive you to be. Even His Excellency the president just recently told some traditional rulers from the Central region that he intentionally refused to develop their area because they voted out his MP. Former President Mahama built superstructures in the Ashanti Region where he knew they would not vote for him so stop making such unnecessary comments.