Subj: Our Past, Present and Future  : Part 4 ( Finale)

Date: 18/02/97

To: Okyeame@mit.edu

CC: chronic@ghana.africaonline.com

CC: indep@ghana.africaonline.com

CC: ghana_think_tank@databack.com

Compatriots,

One could write a whole thesis on landed interests in Ghana to prove that rights of prescriptive acquisition, adverse possession as well as the operation of the Limitations Decree 1972 (NRCD 54) have effectively thrown a spanner in the works of rural land tenure.

A glance at J.B. Danquah's work Akan Law of Property, London: George Routledge & Sons Ltd. 1928 would show how concerned the learned writer was at the alienation of even the allodial interest to Akyem lands around Nsawam and Adeiso. Today, true to Danquah's prediction many people regard Nsawam (presently part of Akuapem South constituency) as Akuapem land; in fact Nsawam lands were won by the Akyem from the Akwamu through conquest in 1730.

At any rate the idea that national wealth is based on the specific mineral wealth of a country is an outmoded nineteenth century model of economic development. Kwame, get progressive; watch the Asian tigers; study Japan, Malaysia and others and you would realise how primitive your economic ideas are.

I find particularly revealing Kwame's reference to other Akan groups. These groups are referred to and treated in footnote fashion as though they are less important than the Asante and should respond blindly to Asante leadership. There is also no mention of other non-Akan Ghanaian peoples. It is this which constitutes the crux of the Asante problem. From the thrust of Kwame's article it may be concluded that the Asante are the most intelligent, wealthy, civilised, dynamic and courageous of Ghana's peoples; the other Akan and indeed other Ghanaians are less important than Asantes, and should simply follow the Asante blindly.

This is the stuff ethnic discrimination is made of. Does Kwame understand that this is likely to cause anxiety to both non-Asante Akans and non-Akan Ghanaians?

Kwame's article amounts to a manifesto of Asante political rights, boldly proclaiming their right to enjoy political leadership in Ghana. And would he really argue on genuine ground that regardless of the real locus of power in the regimes headed by Rawlings the Cabinet, Judiciary, Civil Service, etc. have always been dominated by Akans?

In a democratic dispensation it is impossible for a tiny cabal of Ewes to dominate even the NDC without the majority acquiescing in their own domination. Does it not take the vote of constituency delegates to nominate the NDC leader? And do Ewes not constitue a minority within that electoral college?

A tiny tribalistic cabal may have been able to impose its will on others under previous administrations headed by Rawlings, but there has been a sea-change. If those who scream their heads off on tribal grounds take stock of the present mechanics of Ghanaian politics they would realise that the means is there to check Ewe tribalism if any such thing exists.

I have previously argued that the way to ditch Rawlings is to infiltrate his party and effect change from within. I repeat that call again. In the meantime, I am not keen to exchange Ewe domination for Asante dictatorship based dangerously on an ideology of historical falsehoods.

We cannot choose the ethics of Pontius Pilate and delight in glories brought about by war while distancing ourselves from the atrocities war entails. The tribal dead of other Ghanaian groups should be respected and the attempt to weave a tissue of lies and false glory over their cruel fate stopped.

By the way, the GHANAIAN CHRONICLE is now edited by the former Managing Editor of Ghana Review International. Some may apropos smell a rat here ! I personally take the view that it is sheer co-incidence. One thing is certain. Rambling semi-literate articles, replete with epithets of bigotry , ignorance and hatred, like Kwame's, never help a paper's reputation. My final call is to the Asantes to throw in their lot with other Ghanaians as equal and deserving partners; they might then realise it is a better way to realise one's aspirations through a genuine concern for the plight of all. Asante-centredness diverts valuable energies from the real fight against the opponents of genuine democracy in Ghana.

Forward ever!

Onukpa Kwei