By
William Yaw Adufutse, Ph. D.
I am so worried about the insults and tribal attacks from everyone in my country. I think Ghana is much more above that than what I read most of the time on Ghanaweb. Can we be civil enough and stop attacking and insulting others we disagree with, or who are from different tribes? We are from different tribes but that is what the beauty of the country is all about. Ewes, Ashantis, Fantis, Hausas, Frafras, Dagombas, Basaris, Kokombas. We are all the same. None is superior to the other. I am concerned about some of us who are outside the country writing all the tribal, and inflammatory messages on the web promoting tribal issues. Some of us hold the highest degrees on earth but come so low as downgrading others. Education is to promote knowledge, and edify others with knowledge such that they improve their present horizon, way of life, and thinking. What does tribal name calling and division, promote? Politicians, and some in the media do the same. Those result in nothing but further deepening of hatred. The question to those of us abroad writing all the inflammatory articles on Ghanaweb, politicians, and the media is how does it feel if someone, especially if we are abroad, calls us names identifiable with color and mock you about your as, or way of speaking? Some go as far as calling us monkeys. If not good, why do that in our own country where we are to be a uniting forces? I thought that is what education, and politics are all about, changing the perceptions of people with knowledge that motivates for the good. I conclude with President JF Kennedy’s speech:
It seems to me the time has come for intellectuals and politicians alike to put aside those horrible weapons of modern intercine warfare, the barbed trust, the acid pen, and, most sinister of all, the rhetorical blast. Let us not emphasize all on which we differ but all we have in common. Let us consider not what we fear separately, but what we share together.
Ghanaian intellectuals abroad and at home, politicians, and citizens, let us emphasize out common interests such as what can be done about unemployment, lack of medical facilities, lack of clean drinking water, lack of toilets, and the like. Let us not be afraid as individuals suffering these lacks separately, but share those fears together. Let us not emphasize our differences. All of us are Ghanaians. Let us stop the name calling and the abusive languages. Let us debate the issues and offer constructive suggestions. Whether those suggestions are accepted or not, we know we have done our best, and we will prove to be a shining spot in Africa.
Let the academicians, let the politicians, let the ministers, let the MPs let everyone read this and consider it when about to call opponents all names in the books.
Well, I will go back to writing my management, and business articles. This is just a diversion after all the unpleasant articles and the abusive responses I have read over a long period.
Dr. William Yaw Adufutse is from Anfoega in the Volta Region, and a Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change in the US. He can be reached at [email protected]