In the traditional society of
Ghana even before events of colonisation and subsequent independence of the
country, traditional rulers in the capacity of kings and chiefs are highly
revered and as such very influential on the livelihood of their subjects. Though independence and its constitutional rule
sought to reduce the powers of chiefs, some chiefs still wield enormous power
and influence in their traditional areas of jurisdiction and even beyond.
This lengthy preamble is to set
the tone for the call on highly respectable kings and chiefs such as the
Asantehene, the Okyenhene among others to call out against the seeming tribal
sentiments, violence, innuendos, hate speech, intemperate language among others
that has characterised the ongoing biometric registration exercise. Even though
Ghana is touted as a peaceful and stable country, its peace and stability could
be easily derailed. It would be an understatement to distance the country from
a possible war situation looking at the current happenings in the country. In
as much as we would want to view these violent attacks at Odododiodio and
elsewhere as pocket ones we should also be mindful of its possible escalation
which can easily plunge the whole country into chaos.
It is regrettable that a mere
biometric registration exercise, an exercise to compile the bio-data of
electorates could raise tension so high to the extent of culminating into
violence. Subsequently, the question on the lips of many well meaning Ghanaians
is this ‘if this is happening with registration exercise then what would happen
on the day of actual voting?’. Let us not allow party politics to create
divisions in the country to the extent of plunging the country into a war situation,
as the 50th independence anniversary slogan espoused clearly; we are one nation
one people with one destiny.
