Somanya: The Krobo bloc of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded an apology from New Juaben South Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi over comments they say were divisive and ethnocentric. The group, made up of constituency chairpersons and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, said the remarks were inappropriate and risked undermining national unity.
According to Ghana News Agency, the demand follows comments made by the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry during an interview, where he reportedly stated that the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who hails from Krobo land, should not involve herself in matters in Koforidua. The group asserted that these comments, which have since gone viral on social media, amounted to ethnocentric rhetoric that undermined the authority of the Regional Minister and threatened national cohesion.
At a press conference in Somanya, Mr. John Atteh Matey, Constituency Chairman for Lower Manya Krobo and Municipal Chief Executive, addressed the group, condemning the remarks as unacceptable and dangerous to peaceful coexistence. The group warned that such statements could undermine national unity, peace, and constitutional governance.
The Krobo NDC highlighted that the Eastern Region is multi-ethnic and asserted that no group has ownership of public office or state authority. They emphasized that under the 1992 Constitution, Regional Ministers are appointed by the President to serve the entire region, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or background.
The group cautioned that the comments could strain long-standing relations between Krobo and New Juaben communities, historically, socially, and economically connected. They defended the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Mr. Ransford Owusu Boakye, urging that public officials should not be subjected to attacks that weaken cooperation and local governance.
The Krobo NDC demanded that Mr. Baafi retract his comments and issue an unqualified apology to the Eastern Regional Minister, the Krobo people, the New Juaben Traditional Council, and residents across the Eastern Region. They urged the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to take a clear position on the matter, warning that silence could be interpreted as endorsement.
The press conference concluded with a call for restraint in political discourse and renewed appeals for unity, peace, and mutual respect among communities in the Eastern Region.