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Ridiculous Discrimination

By Daily Guide
Editorial Ridiculous Discrimination
JUL 4, 2015 LISTEN

The so-called government support for displaced Sodom and Gomorrah residents to return to the North was after all a selective exercise unworthy of plaudits.

Those who were unfortunate to be labelled New Patriotic Party (NPP) sympathisers were left out of the gravy train by organisers of the propaganda-driven exercise which transparency cannot be vouched for.

It is appalling that over five decades after independence, we are still running the country along discriminatory lines. Little wonder there are references to ethnocentric considerations, even in matters of employment in some state establishments. Growth would certainly be denied countries which are managed this way, Ghana included.

Why would a government encourage such a divisive module in a country and expect to have all hands on deck in matters of development?

We can recall the occasional call by the president for all to contribute their quota towards the development of the country, irrespective of political lineages. With these facts about discrimination on the ground, we are unable to ascribe sincerity to the president's calls. They are, at best, cosmetic without substance and sincerity – an unfortunate development.

A couple of days ago, some of the displaced persons narrated their harrowing experiences after they were ignored and others provided with means of transportation to the North.

If this is not impetus for aggravating our already polarised country, then we do not know what else it is. We are glad that Nana Akufo-Addo listened to the story of the abandoned victims of the demolition and provided money for a bus to convey them to the Northern Regional capital, from where they would fan out to their various localities.

The mental scar of the discrimination they suffered at the hands of the assigns of government would hardly go away.

Imagine seeking to have such persons come on board government-initiated development programmes. They would certainly and justifiably decline such a request and the country would be the loser.

The propaganda machine of government would soon be activated to respond to the story which triggered this commentary. It is unfortunate that following many interventions for us to avoid towing political lines in the way we do things in the country, we do not appear to be making any headway in this direction. Matters are rather deteriorating, with the educated in society leading the charge as it were.

When shall we ever change our ways for the better? The despondent-looking men and women, some of them clutching their children as they besieged the residence of the flagbearer of the NPP, could have collapsed had Nana Akufo-Addo's gesture been uncomforting – his place being their last resort.

We long to see what vote-seeking politicians who have abandoned them would tell them when they go visiting during the campaign season. This country, hmmm!

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