Your 'election is a battle between Ewes against Asantes' comments is appalling, cringing — Kwamena Duncan blasts Fiifi Kwetey

Kwamena Duncan, a former Central Regional Minister has strongly criticized Fiifi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for what he described as ethnocentric comments that seek to pitch Voltarians against Ashantis in the upcoming general elections.

Duncan expressed his dismay over what he described as the divisive nature of Kwetey's remarks and noted that, almost a week after the comments were made, the NDC had not distanced itself from them.

Participating in a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Kwamena Duncan noted that Fiifi Kwetey only sought to suggest that Ghana's elections are essentially a contest between Ewes and Asantes.

"When I heard the voice, I cringed...A General Secretary of a political party could reduce the entire country to this level, that the election is between Ewes against Asantes.

“Wow! So, he means if you are an Asante in the NDC, you don't belong...The NDC is telling us that if they come into office, they must not be hearing names like Sarpong, Opoku.

“These are the enemies of the people," Kwamena Duncan expressed.

Duncan expressed concern about the NDC's silence on the matter, emphasizing that the General Secretary's remarks reflect the true character of the opposition party.

He cautioned Ghanaians to be wary of the NDC, especially as the nation approaches the December 7 polls.

"I tell you this is the policy and trademark of the party because they don't accept it, this man made these very, very potentially divisive explosive remarks more than a week ago, the party has not, as we speak, issued a statement to dissociate itself.

“It is the conception they have about the people of Ashanti Region. This country is bigger, far, far bigger but it is a major caution to all of us," Kwamena Duncan warned.

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Kwetey, is reported to have encouraged individuals in the Volta Region to influence their children and youth to vote for the NDC.

In a voice recording, Kwetey is heard stating, “It looks as if it is wrong for us, Volta people, to take NDC as a religion. There is nothing wrong with that. Some of our young people from Volta think it is something of pride to say, 'As for us, we are not like our fathers and uncles; we believe we should not just accept something they believe in, and that it is something of pride to choose to be independent-minded.'"

Kwetey reportedly made these statements during a private meeting with NDC supporters in the Volta Region, where he continued, “If you watch what happens in Ashanti and the Eastern Region, they understand that their party must be their party, and nothing changes. Somehow, they appreciate that they must not forsake their party because this must become a religion. Your religion may not be the best, but that is your religion, and it is your responsibility to make sure you fix it."

The General Secretary is also quoted as saying, “I think we must let our people [Voltarians] appreciate that this is who we are. If you go to America today, if you go to New York State, the Democratic Party is like a religion, through rain or shine, that is your political party. If you go to California, it is the same. If you go to places where the Republicans are, it is the same. There is nothing wrong with it."