The 2024 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been warned by a group of Ga-Dangme Youth to retract his derogatory comments against their tribe or risk facing their wrath in the coming weeks.
The former President during an interaction with NDC supporters in Ablekuma South Constituency as part of his tour of the Greater Accra region to canvass for votes said he has failed to fathom why the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will want to implement digitization nationwide when not all Ghanaians need that policy in this age.
He is quoted as saying Gas and Dangmes need only kenkey and fish to survive and not digitization been preached by Dr Bawumia.
“…they will digitalize the kenkey. Does that mean you will eat digitization? But I know by the grace of God, we will not eat digital kenkey. We eat real kenkey and fried fish…,” he said at the rally at Chorkor extra O.
This comment has not sat well with Ga Youth who insists Gas and Dagmes are disappointed in the former Ghana leader for displaying a high level of immaturity.
Spokesperson of the Concerned Ga-Dangme Youth, Daniel Tetteh at a press conference in Accra said his comments suggest that the owners of the capital city don’t require any level of development but just food. Mr Tetteh therefore demanded a retraction and apology from the former President.
“This derogatory statement is not only disrespectful but malicious in nature designed to inflame, prejudice and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. We remind former President, John Dramani Mahama that every community, tribe and ethnic group in this country deserves respect, dignity and equality…,” he said.
Tetteh continued that he is still seeking to understand why a former leader who has benefitted greatly from the votes of Gas since 2012 when he first contested as President will conclude that all Gas need is kenkey and fish and not development.
“What informed your thoughts to conclude that Gas do not need any form of development but only thinks about its stomach? How and what do you take Gas for? What exactly did you do as President for Gas during your tenure in office? What is your plan for Gas per your current manifesto?, these were among the many questions they posed to the former President at the presser.
The livid youth said they are disappointed that the ex-Ghanaian leader who cannot boast of advancing development in the Greater Accra Region would want to add insult to injury by denigrating them.
“We are by this presser giving you John Mahama one week to retract the statement and render an unqualified apology to the entire Ga-Dangme community…if you have nothing to do for us, do not add salt to our injuries by insulting us. It is obvious that you take Gas for granted because the Bible says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. We will consider as Gas and vote accordingly…,” he demanded.