Pressure intensifies on the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Michael Okyere Baafi following his alleged tribal remarks against the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.
The New Juaben South MP stated in a radio interview that the Regional Minister who is a Krobo should not involve herself in matters concerning the people of Koforidua. Threatening to deal with her and the MCE Ransford Owusu Boakye over Koforidua Jackson park allocations controversy.
The comment has since sparked widespread condemnation across the Krobo area.
At a Press conference ,the Chiefs and queenmothers from Yilo Krobo and Manya Krobo described the remarks as ethnocentric and divisive, calling on the MP to render an unqualified apology.
The traditional rulers stated that they are deeply concerned by the statements, not just because of the tribal insinuations but also because of the seeming threats of hostilities, which do not reflect the spirit of unity, respect, and peaceful coexistence .
“Such remarks threaten the harmony among the diverse people of our region and undermine the progress we have made toward fostering mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful coexistence.
The Eastern Region and Ghana at large is a nation built on inclusivity, diversity, and mutual respect. Leadership at every level should be guided by the mandate of the office, not by ethnic background or tribal affiliation. To suggest otherwise is divisive, regressive and dangerous” .They said .
The Chiefs and Queenmothers stated that”We conclude with the following demands, that the Member of Parliament. Immediately retract the tribal remarks and threats of hostilities made against the Regional Minister and the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South. Render an unqualified apology to the Regional Minister, the affected traditional authorities, and the good people of Ghana.Refrain from making statements that promote division and instead champion unity and peaceful coexistence”
The chiefs threatened to take several actions against the MP if he refuses to apologize.
Nene Kwaku Adamptey spokeperson for the chiefs and Queenmothers urged the Regional Minister that, “We encourage our daughter, the Regional Minister, to continue to execute her mandate of progress and development as she contributes her quota in building a peaceful region and a home to all”
In a related development, Municipal and District Chief Executives from Yilo Krobo Municipal, Upper Manya Krobo District, Lower Manya Krobo Municipal, and Asuogyaman District have jointly addressed a press conference to denounce the comments.
John Atey Martey, MCE for Lower Manya Krobo who spoke on behalf of the MDCEs avarred that the regional ministers represent the state,not tribes.
” In accordance with the 1992 constitution of Ghana, a regional ministers appointed by the president to represent the entire region.To reduce honourable Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey authority to her Krobo identity is to undermine the presidency, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, and the rule of law. These is a dangerous precedent”
They emphasized the need for unity and tolerance, warning that such statements risk undermining peaceful coexistence within the Eastern Region.
“Such rhetoric embodies ethnic tension and threatens the traditional bonds between communities who share history, intermarriages, and economic ties.Leadership must build bridges, not walls. Though we are disappointed at his comments, his recent outburst does not come to us as a surprise at all, considering the fact that he has made similar comments in the past”.
They added their voices to calls for the MP to retract and aplogize .
“Honourable Michael Okyere Baafi must publicly retract the statement in its entirety. Unqualified apology. He must render an unreserved apology to the people of Krobo across Ghana”.
The MDCEs called on the New Patriotic Party to condemn the tribal comment.
“We have taken notice of the silence of the new patriotic party, the NPP, even at the regional and Krobo bloc levels. We wish to use this medium to call on them to disassociate themselves and impress upon their party member to do the honourable thing and refrain from any actions that have the tendency of endangering the peace of our beautiful region. We wish to conclude by urging all stakeholders to rise above divisive policies and focus on development, collaboration, and the collective progress of our communities”.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
