The Socialist Forum of Ghana(SFG) has condemned what they describe as tribal bigotry in the politics of Ghana.
It has also made it known that it is against the deployment of the army in civilian areas for what is ostensibly a police function, saying that, unless there is a threat of civil unrest, the police, immigration and CEPs should be adequate in policing the border area.
According to the SFG, it has noted with the utmost regret, repugnance and alarm the rectal effusions and attack by leading political figures against a section of the Ghanaian community and the vitriolic tribal statements in the media.
Going back to history, the SFG stated that,”Progressive citizens of this country and the leadership of the CPP under Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah were the main drivers of the Ghana Project which brought the four component parts of the Gold Coast into one country called Ghana.”
The Gold Coast colony, the SFG continued that when colonized in 1879 included the Southern Volta Region covering Ketu South up to Aflao, Asante and Northern territories were joined by 1902 and Trans Volta Togoland became part of modem Ghana through an international plebiscite in 1956.
However, it noted that before the Pax Britannica and colonial rule starting from the 1870s and ending in 1902, there had been 400 years of conflicts, wars and slave trade. British rule ushered in an obnoxious colonial rule which undermined our political sovereignty and facilitated the economic exploitation of the colony.
The SFG further stated that it was through persistent hard work and years of shared experience and joint struggle that Ghana was born, adding that since 1952, the Ghana project has been ongoing, it has been work in progress and our country is the beacon of peace and development.
In a statement, the SFG said, “The tribal bigotry of leading political actors and the anti-minority propaganda it has generated from the governing New Patriotic Party is unwarranted and against good governance and public policy.”
“The SFG is very much aware of the tools of tribalism and xenophobia which the ruling elites regularly and subtly use and resort to when they are losing their grip on power and their privileges. They often use their rottweilers to portray what the ruling government actually thinks. They divide the masses along tribal lines to enable them continue their misrule,” SFG said.
It added that,”The SFG unreservedly condemns the effusions, anti-national, anti-unity hate speech that is Spreading across the country.”
SFG again made it known that it solidarizes with people from the Volta Region and assure all minorities and ethnic groups especially on borders that Ghana project is on course and progressive citizens of Ghana will not allow it to be derailed by the power-hungry elite.
“The SFG in unconditionally against the deployment of the army in civilian areas for what is ostensibly a police function. It is our belief that, unless there is a threat of civil unrest, the police, immigration and CEPs should be adequate in policing the border area. The Socialist Forum of Ghana is alarmed at the heightened tension,” SFG stated.
SFG finally clarified that,”The SFG is for a peaceful, united country within secured boundaries bequeathed to us on the 6th of March 1957 by our Founding Father Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah. Long live a peaceful, united Ghana. Long live the African Revolution. We need change from the duopoly now.”
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori