Professor Kofi Agyekum is right
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Senior Linguistics Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Kofi Agyekum, has expressed concern over the proliferation of ethnic student unions on the campuses of the various levels of education in the country, particularly at the Senior High School and the University levels.
He holds the view that the existence of such groups in the country’s schools, would give credence to the occasional ethnic violence being witnessed across the length and breadth of the country, since it tends to breed division, instead of unity.
In a recent interview he granted The Chronicle, Professor Agyekum (Opanin Agyekum) noted that if the issue of ethnicity is not handled with care, it could plunge the entire nation into chaos.
Though he admitted that there was nothing wrong with one associating with where he or she comes from, it becomes a problem, “when the practice is carried to educational institutions.”
The University Lecturer expressed worry that the phenomena was infiltrating into our tertiary institutions and the secondary schools, where there are the mushrooming of ethnic groupings, such as Ashanti Students Union, Volta Students Union and Western Students Union among others.
Prof Agyekum further lamented the formation of sub-ethnic groupings like the Sekyere Students Union, Amansie Students Union, and Navrongo Students Union, among others. This, according to him, “is a bad precedent that is being set,” and he asked rhetorically – “if we go on like this, how can we also guarantee that our lecturers will not be ethnocentric in examining students…” To him, it is better to put an end to this phenomenon, before it degenerates into something else.
The Chronicle perfectly agrees with the arguments put forward by the Legon Don, even though some people tried to ridicule the idea, when we first published the story.
Ghana has remained one united piece, largely because of the boarding school system introduced by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) government, a novelty that cannot be found in most countries.
Under this system, students from different ethnic and tribal backgrounds sleep, study, eat and interact together, irrespective of tribal affiliations. This cordial relationship was carried on after school into adult life.
This kind of bonding among students was evident during inter-schools and colleges sporting competitions, where students’ allegiance to their schools, was stronger than to their fellow kith and kin in rival schools.
Unfortunately, this beautiful bonding system is in danger of being destroyed, if the ethnic groupings of Kussasis, Ashantis, Ewes and Akyems are allowed to blossom in our schools.
It is about time we put an end to this ‘timebomb’ before it explodes in our face.
Unlike, in the olden days, where students in boarding institutions regarded each other as one people, the youth are now aligning themselves to their own kith and kin, and this is where the danger lies.
The Chronicle thinks that instead of the students, and those who share their view, attack Professor Agyekum, for what we at The Chronicle consider a good opinion, they should rather reflect and ponder over the suggestion. We should not create the situation where people will identify themselves with their tribes first, before seeing themselves as Ghanaians.
Countries where ethnic identity is so pronounced, have never known peace, and we can cite Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, La Cote d’Ivoire and a host of others.
Ghana also went through the bitter experience of ethnic identity in the colonial era, resulting in the Ashanti, Denkyira and Fanti wars.
In the recent past, Nigeria also went through this experience, when the people of Biafra tried to construct their own identity, instead of seeing themselves as Nigerians.
As we write this piece, the Kussasis and Manprusis are at loggerheads in Bawku, because each party is trying to maintain its ethnic identity.
We must learn from our past experience, otherwise, we will end up following the path of countries that have been run down by ethnicity and tribalism. We strongly support Professor Agyekum’s views, and we advise government to take the matter up.
Source: The Chronicle
Brong Ahafo Region Celebrates Golden Jubilee
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, has condemned the increase in criminal activities and armed robbery in the Brong Ahafo Region.
These nefarious activities, he noted, create insecurity and discomfort for people, particularly the business folk in the region, to the extent that armed robbery takes place in broad daylight.
Aside this, the illegal activities of chain saw operators and indiscriminate felling of trees, he said, are on the ascendancy resulting in the degradation of the forest and the environment.
Speaking at a press conference on the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration of the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region, the Minister said that in spite of the challenges, among which are the challenges faced from the illegal activities of Small Scale Miners, known as the "Galamsey, the Region has experienced tremendous improvement in many sectors, including the education sector.
He revealed that prior to the creation of the Region there was only one Senior High School and a few primary and middle schools. Today, after fifty years of demarcation, there are established 1,425 Nursery / Kindergarten schools, 747 primary schools, 53 Junior High Schools, 35 Senior High Schools and 3 Teacher Training Colleges.
He noted that the Region has been very successful in its heath care delivery with a total of 549 health care facilities. These comprise one ultra modern Regional Hospital in Sunyani, 140 Health Centres and Posts, 353 Community Based Health Planning and Services Compounds earmarked for construction (with 29 completed and 39 under construction), by the Ghana Health service.
He added that the Region has a reliable supply of electricity sent to its numerous communities in addition to the Bui Hydro Power Project which was being undertaken in the Region. When completed, the project is expected to generate 400MW of electric power to the country.
The minister was proud about the fact that the region had several highways with a paved trunk road network linking all the 22 district capitals to Sunyani.
Activities outlined for the Celebration include Trade/ Investment Fair Exhibition (Dwa Kese 2009), on the 22nd October, 2009; Congress of Brong Ahafo Citizens at Sunyani on the 30th October, 2009; Awards to deserving sons and daughters of the Region on 6th November, 2009; Grand Durbar of Chiefs and People on 7th November, 2009; and a Thanksgiving Service on 8th November, 2009.
According to the Hon. Marfo, the purpose of the outlined activities is to attract both local foreign and investors into the region to create employment and wealth.
The celebrations are also to create unity and togetherness in the lives of the people in the midst of diversity, and in the process give moral support and encouragement to Nananom in the exercise of their responsibilities and leadership roles in achieving development for their people.
Author: Akwasi Fredua