DIPO AND KLAMA ARE NOT THE SAME

 DIPO AND KLAMA ARE NOT THE SAME

This year, I drew closer to the Kloyosipklemi festival of the chiefs and people of Yilo Krobo. I made sure I was in town around that period and participated in some of the activities including the pilgrimage to the ancestral home, the Krobo Mountain. I was also at the grand durbar on the invitation of Nene Amoatey Akpatsu Azza VI, Divisional Chief of Nyewer.

Folks, I was awed by a lot of things especially at the durbar, the most enchanting was the klama performance. I was busy savouring the moment; the nice tune; the rich, poetic and historical lyrics and feeding my eyes with the dazzling beauty of the nubile ‘girls’ performing the klama dance when snippets of a conversation between some lads seated next to me hit my eardrum.

My attention shifted to them momentarily. It was obvious from the line of argument that one of them didn’t know the difference between dipo and klama. To one of the guys, once he saw the ladies dressed as they did (in beads, cloths, headgear and dangling loin cloths), and dancing, they were performing dipo.

Nothing was more surprising than the confidence with which the dude was advertising his ignorance about the subject matter. I wasn’t invited to join the conversation so I turned my attention back to the refreshing sight the event was offering me and I made sure I had a single-minded focus on the dancers from that point.

One of the dancers noticed I was keenly interested in what they were doing so she flashed a cheerful grin in my direction and I also winked in acknowledgement. You see your life, you want me to tell you more about that, right? It’s pure ‘toli’, so let’s get back to the essence of this post, the difference between dipo and klama.

Dipo is a whole rite involving different rituals while klama is simply a cultural or folk dance. Let me offer a more detailed explanation.

DIPO: Dipo is a nubility rite - of ancient renown - performed by some of the the Dangme speaking tribes of this beautiful country of ours called Ghana. It involves a  chain of rituals performed for nubile girls with the belief that through the rite, the girls transition into adulthood and obtain ‘full status’ in the tribal community. (Definition partly stolen from Hugo Huber’s book, The Krobo).

Fact is, dipo has come to be associated more with my people, Krobos, than any of the other Dangme tribes. The whole rite has however been greatly impacted by Christianity, formal education, modernity and other socio-economic factors to the extent that the fear and reverence it evoked in the past have waned considerably.

Now, views over its relevance and justifications for its continuous performance are quite mixed. I must say that throughout its changing phases, dipo has aroused debates and generated diverse opinions and controversies which have led to various forms of (usually) skewed analysis and interpretations by different schools of thought. To cut it short, dipo is a whole rite involving a set of rituals.

KLAMA: Klama, on the other hand, is an indigenous dance of Krobo origin, performed mainly at festive occasions - such as during the performance of dipo rites, marriage ceremonies - and rarely at somber events such as funerals of traditional priests, and chiefs.

The klama rhythm or sound is composed of beats from a set of drums, gong and a casaba of gourd or beaded gourd, known locally as fau.

The dance move is characterized by a slow graceful, rhythmic body movement and the shuffling of feet. Typically, the left arm is raised horizontally a little above the waist level, and the wrist is wriggled mildly in tune with the beat while the right arm, which points to the ground swings gently in conformity.

Simply put, klama is a cultural/folk dance and not a ritual or rite.

Click this link for a typical klama rendition: https://youtu.be/j4ZzuCIx7AM. I remember recording and uploading this video about five years ago during an event at the Roman Catholic Parish, Agormanya.

So nobody will begrudge you if you say klama and dipo move hand in hand, but note that they are NOT the same. 

My 2 by 4 explanation. You can add on for purposes of education, folks.

NB: First published Saturday 19th December, 2020

MICHAEL ANUMU IN A ANOTHER RECRUITMENT SCAM

…nearly 600 more defrauded nationwide of GHC 167,960.00

Michael Hope Amunu, the suspect

Nearly six hundred (600) more job seekers largely made up of youth from various parts of the country have allegedly fallen for the antics of Michael Hope Anumu, the 32-year-old man who is currently standing trial at the Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court for masterminding a recruitment scam that hit the Krobo area recently.

In this latest episode of what seems to be his stock in trade, Michael is said to have defrauded five hundred and eighty eight (588) people from different parts of the country to the tune of One Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Cedis (GHC 167, 960.00). 

The case which was reported at the Koforidua Central Police Station in September 2014 is currently pending before the Koforidua Circuit Court B.

Background:

In September 2014, three of the victims, Messer Victor Tandor, a teacher aged 40; John Komong also a 46 year old teacher and Samuel Oppong, a 40 year old engineer lodged a complaint with the Koforidua Central Police about how they were individually defrauded and lured by the accused, Amunu, into recruiting friends and other professionals from across the regions for employment in a pharmaceutical company that was about to be established in the country.

According to Tandor and Komong, the accused (Amunu) joined them on the staff at the Asesewa Community DA Basic School during the 2011/2012 academic year and taught in class 3 until he vacated post in 2014.

During the said period, Amunu told the two about his sojourn in South Africa and his close ties with one Dr. Knelah Zies, a South African Medical Practitioner and investor, who was set to set up a pharmaceutical company here in Ghana.  

According to the victims, the accused told them about the visit of a 5-member South African delegation which was in town working together with the Ministry of Information and also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the preliminary works in the lead up to the establishment of the company.

They said Amunu told them the delegation had earlier met with the President, the then Chief of Staff and officials from the Bank of Ghana (BOG) who arranged a successful transfer of the funds needed for the project.

Recruitment and training:

They indicated that Amunu (who by that time had become a good friend of theirs on the same staff) played on their trust and got them to recruit some of their friends from diverse professional backgrounds for a three-month training and subsequent employment.

The recruitment started locally in and around the Krobo area (mainly at Asesewa) in 2013 but took a wider dimension with time, with the team moving to other regions prospecting for persons with the desired qualification as specified by the accused.

This culminated in the recruitment of 588 professionals from varying background including accountants, pharmacists, caterers, pastors, nurses, engineers and various artisans including welders, vulcanizers, masons, electricians and factory hands etc.

Search for lands for the project:

Together with Amunu, they also went prospecting for suitable sites for the establishment of the company, the headquarters of which was to be located at Nsawam, with branches planned for Tamale, Kumasi, Techiman, and Koforidua.

According to them, the team eventually located parcels of lands in some of these areas and covering documents were prepared to that effect. That, according to the complainants, was how Samuel Oppong, (the third of the complainants), came into the picture, bringing on board his expertise as an engineer, then working with the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly. 

By that time, nearly all the 588 victims had paid various sum of money between GHC 400.00 and GHC 1, 200.00 to facilitate the acquisition of diplomatic passports and other traveling document for those billed for the training.

The payment, among others, was also to cover what Amunu described as citizenship fee, orientation fee, cost of Ebola medical screening as well as the opening of accounts and the creation of credit cards for all the travelers.

Suspicion  

In mid 2014, the three who ignorantly aided the accused started suspecting the latter because he together with the leader of the “ghost” South African delegation kept postponing the departure dates of the recruits.

They indicated that in some instance, some of the victims were made to travel from their respective regions to Accra on the directives of Amunu for preparations prior to their departure only to be given excuses on their arrival.

Suspicion heightened when in September Amunu failed to produce any document to confirm the transfer of fund to the Bank of Ghana for the commencement of the project as he had earlier indicated.

As of that time, Komong had paid to the suspect a total of GHC 107, 730.00, the sum of contributions from over 300 of the people he recruited and a personal loan of GHC 3, 100.00 which he took from the Bayport Financial Service.

Tandor, on the other hand, paid a total of GHC 28, 950.00 while Oppong parted with GHC 31, 280.00 including their personal contributions and those of the people they have recruited.

Report and arrest:

The three, Tandor, Komong and Oppong officially lodged a complaint with the Koforidua Central Police and Amunu was immediately arrested at Somanya. He was subsequently arraigned and remanded in Prison custody for three months after which he was granted bail.

Some vehicles belonging to the suspect have since been confiscated and are said to be in the custody of the police. 

They indicated however that though the court sat severally, Amunu hardly made appearance in court because his counsel, one W. H. Augustt (Esq) told the court his client was terminally ill.

Information available to the Daily Graphic indicates that a bench warrant had been issued for Amunu’s arrest.

Though the complainants had petitioned the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (in a letter dated December 2, 2014), they were yet to receive any official response. The case returns to court on.

Interview with Koforidua Police:

In an interview with the Police, Superintendent Kofi Blagodzi, the Prosecutor, confirmed the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of the suspect, adding that the action was necessitated by the evasive tactics by the latter.

“His counsel was given several chances to produce him but he failed to do so with the excuse that his client was incapacitated”.

Commenting on the seizure of Amunu’s vehicle by the police, the prosecutor noted that the courts ordered its release to the suspect who wanted the vehicle sold to enable him pay back the victims.

He however could not confirm if Amunu had come for the vehicle in question which has been with the police all this while.

Flashback:

It would be recalled that the Daily Graphic in its Monday August 1, 2016 edition reported a similar recruitment scam in the Krobo area involving the accused, Amunu, who posed as a medical doctor (aka Dr. Dickson) of the VRA hospital in Akosombo to defraud 58 youth of the area of GHC 60,000.00 under the pretext of enlisting them into the various security services. The services included the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

He was subsequently arrested and put before the Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court following complaints from one Patience Tetteh, one of the victims. He is slated to appear again in court on Wednesday September 14, 2016.

NENE AZZU MATE KOLE WAS A GREAT KING AND STATESMAN - PROF. SAM ADDO

Prof. Sam. Tetteh Addo, University of Ghana

Professor Samuel Tetteh Addo, of the Department of Geography and Resource Development of the University of Ghana has described the late Oklemekuku (Nene) Azzu Mate Kole II, immediate past Konor (Paramount Chief) of Manya Krobo as a great King and Statesman worth celebrating.

He said, “the height attained by late Oklemekuku in his days as well as his contributions in the development of his native Manya Krobo and the nation Ghana – which were duly recognized with awards such as the Kings’ Medal for Chiefs (KMC) in 1942; Order of the British Empire (1948); the Order of the Volta (OV) in 1969; Doctor of Law LLD, University of Ghana in 1975, among others- were phenomenal and ought to be an inspiration to the youth and leaders of today”.

Prof. Addo who is a retired educationist and presently a part-time lecturer at the graduate level of the Department said this on Thursday in Accra during his lecture to mark the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the passing of Oklemekuku who ruled between 1939 and 1990. The lecture, chaired by Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo was on the topic, “Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole: A great king and a statesman”.

He attributed Oklemekuku’s commitment, courage and confidence to the training he acquired from great institutions like the Achimota College where “he imbibed a well-blended mix of the best of Ghanaian culture and relevant aspects of western civilization, as well as the discipline of mind acquired from the Gold Coast Police Force where he has been serving at the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police before his enthronement”.

He noted that Oklemekuku, on ascending the throne, quickly reorganised the administrative machinery of the Manya Krobo State and established the stool treasury with an efficient revenue collection system which saw revenue rising threefold in three years. This provided him with the initial capital to carry out his development agenda in the fields of education, agriculture, water and sanitation, road works and transport.

Out of this revenue, the state ran its own transport service and awarded scholarships to students. He also garnered massive communal labour through his concept of self-help to extend feeder roads that linked the farmlands to the two principal food market centres of Asesewa and Sekesua, resulting in a significant increase in farm size, tonnage of food crops assembled in the market centres as well as the revenue that was generated from the market tolls. Additionally, Nene enlisted the Field Engineers of the Ghana Army to construct bridges across the Akrum river at Abuachau and Mlegedu at the cost of 9,500 Euros and this was paid from the state treasury.

In the area of education, Nene initiated the establishment of the Manya Krobo Senior High School to replace the Presbyterian Boys School (PRESEC) which was relocated in 1968 from Odumase-Krobo to its current location at Legon, Accra.  With the aid of notable personalities like late R. P Djabanor, he set up the Akro State Schools, two of which have blossomed into the current Asesewa Senior High School in the Upper Manya Krobo District and the Akro Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. The rest of the schools, dotted across the Manya Krobo state, were absorbed by government as state schools, Prof. noted.

He said Nene’s interest in promoting formal education, partly influenced by his membership of the Central Advisory Committee on Education (1946-1951), saw him releasing land for the establishment of the Mount Mary Training College and also for the University of Ghana’s Agricultural Research station at Kpong.

Another notable handiwork of Nene was the holding of the biggest provincial Agricultural show at Laasi, Odumase-Krobo in 1947- attended by the governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Allen Burns, among others- which was a direct reflection of the improvement in the socio-economic activities of his people. 

On the national stage, Nene displayed his statesmanship by serving in the Legislative Assembly between 1947 and 1954. He was also a member of the Gold Coast delegation to the Lancaster House, London in 1948 which made a case for self-rule and was also a member of other such Boards and Committees including the Management Board of the West African Cocoa Research Institute and the West African Institute of Science and Industry, (1942-1945).

The Konor, Prof. Addo noted, also chaired a Committee set up by the Joint Provincial Council of Chiefs to examine issues affecting the cocoa industry and came out with the Mate Kole report which led to the passage of the Cocoa Marketing Board Ordinance in 1947 and paved the way for the establishment of the current Cocoa Marketing Board. Between 1949 and 1973, he served on all the constitution drafting and approving bodies; he was on the Council of the University of Ghana between 1958 and 1960 and served as the Board Chairman of his alma mater, Achimota on three different occasions

Apart from his lead role in the establishment of the Akosombo dam (Volta River Project) and an earlier one which gave birth to the Kpong Water Works which saw the flow of treated water to his people in 1954, Nene became the Deputy Chairman of the Chieftaincy Secretariat in 1966 and Deputy Speaker of the Blay Constituent Assembly in 1969 which discussed the National Constitution of the Second Republic. It was from this position that he advocated for the establishment of the National House of Chief as the mouth piece of the traditional rulers.

Grateful if you could leave your comment below. You can also follow me on twitter @henkingklonobi or reach me via klonobi2007@gmail.com or 0266 000 747.

HON. OKLETEY TERLABI MUST HEAR THIS !!!

Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, MP, Lower Manya Krobo constituency

The Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Hon. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi has been trending in the media since yesterday. He seems to have taken over the social media space, displacing the likes of Yvonne Nelson and David Oscar who have been top of mind just the days before, thanks to the dumsor debate.  

For most part of yesterday, social media particularly facebook was awash with vituperative comments targeted at the MP for chiding the suffering public and ostensibly remarking that “the effects of dumsor are exaggerated by people who cannot afford to buy fridges or air conditioners in their homes”. This statement opened the flood gate of unsavoury remarks and attacks on him in a manner that gave a clear indication of how frustrated Ghanaians are in the face of the energy crisis. (http://www.ghana-news.adomonline.com/politics/2015/May-11th/only-poor-persons-are-complaining-about-dumsor-ndc-mp.php#sthash.nmY0er3e.dpuf)

I want to admit that though I have read the story online, I am yet to listen to the tape and assess the statement contextually, for which reason I am being measured in my condemnation.

If indeed my MP made the statement as he’s been quoted and with the intent as understood by the average Ghanaian, then that’s very very insensitive and unfortunate and particularly so when one considers his status as a leader- an incumbent MP, one time Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Deputy Defence Minister and until quite recently the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in the same ruling government which should long have found an antidote to the deadly power crisis.

I will be one of the first people to tell him in the face that his comment was a bit of a display of indiscretion and indifference towards the plight of the masses because clearly one does not need to own any of those gadgets he mentioned to feel the burning heat arising out of dumsor. In fact, I don’t own a tea kettle let alone fridge and “air korn” and yet I am painfully feeling the dumsor pinch in all its forms.

You will however agree with me also that fairness demands and it is only appropriate that we condemn him based on what he actually said (and can confirm that indeed he did say) instead of merely hinging our criticism and argument on what the media reports.

One thing we should as well be doing- if our argument should hold- is to analyse his statement or quote in the context as used and not in isolation because the two may give different meaning and MAY not be the same. He could easily have been misunderstood or misrepresented and we must make room for that.

Admittedly most of our media houses here in Ghana thrive on sensationalism for which reason I won’t necessarily take a media report as the truth, (the whole truth and nothing but the truth) and completely rule out the possibility of some reporter mistakenly or wilfully adding his bit to change the import of the statement. Let us convince ourselves, possibly with evidence that he made such a remark as reported and then we can justifiably call for his head.

Meanwhile can someone close to him whisper some advice into his ears to be more strategic with his media appearances? I noticed with restlessness over the past few weeks and month that he’s taken to a more aggressive show-up on radio talk shows, turning himself literally into what has come to be known as “party/political communicator”.

Listening to him on some occasions, it is my opinion that for several reasons (which are better discussed in privacy on the basis that I am one of his constituents) he shouldn't become too popular and regular a commentator (social commentator, if you like) because that comes with its own price, one of which we are experiencing now.

I took the pain to write this because I have been affected by association. Many were those who called to ask why you will make such a statement. There were those who bundled us together as Krobos and told us their piece of mind. Much the same way I was linked today (albeit indirectly), I will be linked when you make us proud and that is what I look forward to again.

LET THE READER MAKE MEANING OF THIS PIECE.

Hon Terlabi, MP, Lower Manya Krobo

MP in kente cloth (extreme right) together with the President (middle) at an event

(NB: Don't hesitate to leave a comment by way of feedback)

KROBO CHIEF, 3 OTHERS IN COURT FOR ALLEDGED KIDNAPPING

Nene Agbau Narh III

A Divisional Chiefs of the Manya Krobo Traditional area, Nene Agbau Narh III, is standing trial together with three others in a Koforidua Circuit Court for an alledged act of kidnapping.

He is currently facing trial together with Mr. Peter Sedjordji Narh, Head of Popotia Limestone Land owners; Daniel Tetteh and Nartey alias Narh, all youth of the area who are additionally standing trial for abetment of crime.

Nene Agbau Narh, who is the Divisional Chief for the Djebiam Clan was arraigned before court on Thursday March 12, 2015 for purportedly kidnapping one Samuel Adjie Paditey, an agent of GHACEM, while the latter was on his usual reconnaissance and prospecting activities at the limestone-rich Popotia area, near Yonguase in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.

Prior to this development, Mr. Paditey was said to have been invited together with the land owners to series of meetings, the last of which was held at the Manya Krobo Customary Lands Secretariat on Thursday February 5, 2015 and instructed by the Chiefs to cease all reconnaissance and prospecting activities since the area in question was not covered by the agreement between the parties.

A trustworthy source indicated that Mr. Paditey and his clients, Ghacem disregarded this directive and have been in active operations there. When on Friday February 20, 2015 the Chiefs had tipoff that Mr. Paditey had defied their directives and was illegally operating in the area in question, Nene Agbau Narh, then acting as the President of the Council dispatched some of his emissaries to summon the former to appear before them. While the messengers were returning from the site with the Mr. Paditey, the Oterkporlu Police had a hint of the issue and swiftly went in to take custody of Mr. Paditey.

He subsequently initiated legal action against Nene and his aides who were then hurled to court on Thursday March 12, 2015.

The four however narrowly escaped remand and were admitted to a GHC 15, 000 bail with two sureties each to reappear on Tuesday March 31, 2015.

Speaking in an interview, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, Nene Asada Ahor I, who doubles as the Chief of Akuse said, “The unfolding drama between the Council and Ghacem over Popotia is quite a surprise to us because the area is not part of what the Council and the Municipal Assembly legally allotted to Ghacem”. He however declined to comment on the substantive case, adding “We will advise ourselves accordingly after the court’s decision”.

Attempt to reach Mr. Paditey and his counsel for their side of the story yielded no result. 

“POLITICAL” STATEMENT BY THE PARAMOUNT CHIEF OF MANYA KROBO, The "fallouts" and my disappointments

Is there any difference between these two statements – 1. We vote for you all the time and 2. We WILL ALWAYS/FOREVER vote for NDC?

Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo

So the paramount chief of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite II was speaking at the commissioning of an extension work by the President John Dramani Mahama at the Kpong Water Works in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region when he made a statement to the effect that “…We (the people of Manya Krobo) vote for you all the time…”. This was supposed to be referring to the President and his NDC government.

Per the Konor’s explanation which I sought from him in the heat of a debate that sprouted from his comment, he meant to remind the President that in all previous elections majority of the people of the area preferred and indeed voted more for an NDC candidate than they did any other candidate. It was therefore important that the president and, for that matter, the ruling government gave attention in equal measure or a reasonable one to the myriad of problems in the area.

The next day after the event, he was reported in the media as having pledged he and his people’s everlasting (continuous) support for the ruling government of the NDC. He was quoted as saying “We WILL ALWAYS vote for the NDC” instead of “We vote for you all the time…” which he originally said. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=340675

Others quoted him as saying “We WILL FOREVER vote for the NDC- Konor of Manya Krobo”. In fact, one newspaper headline read “Krobo Chief leads NDC campaign”. The introduction of three new words- WILL, ALWAYS and FOREVER- into Konor’s statement by the reporters completely gave a different meaning to what the Konor said.

The story as captured by the Daily Guide Newspaper

Putting his original statement (We vote for you all the time) side by side what the media reported (We WILL ALWAYS/FOREVER vote for NDC), admittedly the two are markedly different. The journalists clearly (or perhaps mischievously) MISrepresented the old boy and succeeded, to some extent, in creating a huge disaffection for him.

If for nothing at all, what the old boy said was in the SIMPLE PRESENT and that of the media was in the FUTURE CONTINUOUS (I faintly remember my grammar lessons). That alone should tell you the statements are not the same even if you will disregard the intent/intention behind the words/statement.

The observation by the Konor that his people have voted in the past for the NDC (which is a statement of fact) is not to say that they WILL, ALWAYS and FOREVER vote for the NDC in the future, which is the unfortunate inference the reporters made.

When a few days later the story broke out, many were those who impatiently “demanded the head of the Konor”- and his crime- “mounting a political platform” and declaring open support for the NDC. Hardly did readers give Nene the benefit of the doubt to first listen to the tape/recording to ascertain exactly what he said before passing comments.

The public spewed vituperation on him left right center based on hearsay (what the media reported) and that I find unfortunate. Some people who, in my estimation, should know better also joined the fray of reactions, much to my surprise. 

It is for this same reason that I find disappointing the reaction from the Lower/Upper Manya Krobo constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party; partisan politics seemed to have clouded their judgment and they misfired.

On Tuesday January 6, 2015, they held a press conference in apparent reaction to what in their words was the “purported statement by Nene”; Truth is that, holding a press conference in itself was not entirely a bad idea because they (the executives) should be seen to be active; Yes, they have constituents who may have been anguished by the alledged declaration of support to the NDC by Nene and as such would want to hear from their leadership.

I personally expected the NPP to have done due diligence by first and carefully analyzing the recording and basing their reaction on the exact words of the Konor. What did they do instead? They preferred hinging their reaction on HEARSAY, perhaps to score some cheap political points. I saw the trap in doing that and cautioned against it because by openly condemning the Konor based on what HE IS SAID TO HAVE SAID, the NPP was going to create a huge disaffection for itself; any fair-minded and right thinking Krobo was sure to take such a mal-adjusted reaction with a pinch of salt.

Now, in their kneejerk reaction, not only did they entrench the MISinformation as reported by the media which expectedly fuelled the disaffection (generated more negative comments) for the Konor and Krobos for that matter, they also found themselves caught in the snare, making some misguided/sweeping statements that are themselves open to different interpretations by any critical mind.

In paragraph 4 of page 2 of the NPP’s press statement they said in part that “Since 1992, the electorate in the three Krobo constituencies have always voted according to their conscience and not according to the dictates of any paramount Chief”. Then in paragraph 1, page 3 of the same statement, the NPP said “After voting consistently for the NDC since the inception of the Fourth Republic and having almost nothing to show for it, Krobos are NOW DISCERNING and have decided to change their voting pattern come 2016”.

I smell some contradiction here but that is not the main point I intend to raise. If the NPP is saying that Krobos are NOW discerning, should I understand that to mean that until NOW, Krobos (including my honourable self) were not discerning? Previously, we were doing something else? Isn’t that a polished insult to me, if not to the entire Krobo citizenry? Why, must (majority of) Krobos vote for NPP to prove that we are discerning? Only that will we be seen to be using our God-given intellect/gumption?

Who even said Manya Krobo is made up of 100 percent Krobos? Has the NPP taken the pain to study the composition of the population of the area particularly a highly populated area like Kpong where tribes like Ewe, Loso, Ada, Hausa are known to be in the majority?

Who told the NPP that Krobos have decided to change their voting pattern come 2016? That’s a baseless, sweeping statement there too. You see, there the NPP is, also speaking generally for the Krobo when they have not so been mandated.

What is more?  In the same paragraph (1) of page 3, line 5, 6 and 7, the NPP’s statement said “The Krobos have acknowledged with gratitude how their lives have been positively affected during the NPP era under Ex. President Kufour…”. Which Krobo told this to the NPP? The entire Krobo citizenry?

The NPP further said in the last but one paragraph of page 3 that its “check indicate that the Krobos have decided to vote massively for Nana Addo and the NPP come 2016…”There we go again, another general statement that can’t be made on behalf of the Krobo citizenry. As for me, I will comfortably pitch my camp somewhere and wait to see if this claim will come to pass, only then will I be convinced that they have indeed done some checks and are speaking based on empirical evidence.

Finally the statement urged “all well-meaning people of Manya Krobo to register their strongest objection to the PURPORTED statement”. Purported? Not what the Konor actually said? Hmmmmmm

Personally, I am disappointed at how the party approached the issue and will not hide my feelings; it’s not my nature so to do. Going forward, they may want to be more calculating, if they want to appeal to critical minds. It is my heart-felt wish also that going forward, the Konor will be mindful of his statements, given the different meaning of words. His words should be carefully chosen to carry across exactly what his intent is because borderline statements like this could be dangerous and we are all living witness to it. The Traditional Council must also be up and doing; the issues was left to boil for far too long before they rejoinder was issued. We want to see more proactive steps.

If for any reason my assessment of this issue fell below your expectation, please ignore because I did it in my “ignorance”.  

-END-

Ghanaweb's version of the story 

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=340675

Daily Guide's version of the story

http://www.dailyguideghana.com/krobo-chief-leads-ndc-campaign/

The rejoinder from the Manya Krobo Traditional Council
http://www.starrfmonline.com/1.1952805

 Below is the NPP's Press Statement

NPP's Press Statement (Page 1)

NPP's Press Statement (page 2)

NPP's Press Statement (Page 3)

NPP's Press Statement (Page 4)

THE REJOINDER FROM THE MANYA KROBO TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

REJOINDER: KROBO CHIEF LEADS NDC CAMPAIGN

The Manya Krobo Traditional Council has taken judicious notice of the content of stories running in the media, reporting Nene Sakite II, Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional area as having pledged the continuous support of the people of Manya Krobo for the ruling government of the National Democratic Congress.

Nene was delivering his welcome address at the commissioning of an extension work by the President, John Dramani Mahama at the Kpong Water Works in the Eastern Region on Tuesday December 23, 2014.

The thrust and intent of Nene’s statement was that the people of Manya Krobo do vote for the NDC, he was therefore questioning how come a lot of the needs of the people of Manya Krobo have still not been met. This was the spirit in which the statement was made.

While apologizing for the anguish that may have been caused a section of the public as a result of the misrepresentation of facts by the media, it is appropriate that we set the record straight, putting side by side the words of the Konor and what was reported in the media.

It is worth noting that while the Konor made an observation of the fact that “We vote for you all the time,…” (i.e the people of Manya Krobo in the past five general elections have indeed selected an NDC candidate) what has been reported by sections of the media that “We WILL ALWAYS vote for NDC” is a mischievous and a totally inaccurate representation of what the Konor said or intended. The introduction of two new words- WILL and ALWAYS- by the reporters completely gave a different meaning to what the Konor said in his statement. The observation by the Konor that his people have voted in the past for the NDC is not to say that they will vote for the NDC in the future, which is the unfortunate deduction the reporters seek to make.   

In the opening paragraphs of some of the stories in the media, some media houses gave a deliberate twist to the statement and alledged Nene as saying “His people WILL FOREVER vote for the governing National Democratic Congress”. This is patently false. Nowhere in Nene’s speech did he say that his people will FOREVER vote for the NDC.

It is clear that the two statements “We vote for you all the time” and “We WILL ALWAYS vote for you”, are markedly different in meaning. It is unfortunate that anybody could misconstrue the two to mean the same thing, thus leading to the present misunderstanding.

The Konor and the Traditional Council acknowledge the fact that the population of the area is diverse- and election results bare testimony. The people have an unfettered right to freely choose who they want as leaders and this, the Konor and the Council stand to defend. We also want to emphasize that both the Konor and the Council respect the individual will of the people and will grant it as per their political affiliations.

If for any reason the import of the statement varied from the understanding of a section of the public, given the different meanings to the words, and for which reason may have been anguished, the Council regrets it and hopes that this clarification will put the issue to rest.

Sgnd.

Zizingmozingmo Asada Ahor I

Akuse Matse and Public Relations Officer

Manya Krobo Traditional Council

Odumase-Krobo