'Northern vrs Southern Ghana talk by politicians is becoming too much – Kwesi Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr

The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has condemned in very strong terms what he says is the growing trend of politicians touting their ethnic or tribal roots as the basis for their points of view while debating national issues.

In particular, Mr Pratt has condemned what he says is the growing “I'm a northerner and he is my brother northerner” talk among the country's leading politicians, including a reported claim by NPP 2012 Vice Presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that his “brother northerner” would not seek his demise.

The NPP 2012 running mate is reported to have dismissed suggestions that his recent near-fatal accident was orchestrated by elements within the Mahama government because the President was his “Northern brother” and he could therefore not plan anything evil against him.

The claim is contained in the just-released book authored by NPP stalwart Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, who says Dr Bawumia made the assertion when he visited him at home after the accident.

But Mr Pratt has slammed such talk, insisting it was a recipe for disaster.

Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem morning show of Thursday May 16, 2013, the veteran journalist said:

“If what Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe wrote is true, then it is very worrying, because nowadays the 'northern northern' thing is becoming too much. Just because someone is my 'Northern brother, Southern brother or Eastern brother he cannot do this or he is like that? Now everything is North versus South, East versus West?

Listen to the attached audio of Kwesi Pratt
“When he (Dr Bawumia) was seeking the Vice Presidency was he looking to be Vice President of Northern Ghana or Vice President for the whole of the country? If he begins to see northerners as a special people then I, as well as all Ghanaians, will have a problem with him.

“The Northern-Northern, Southern-Southern, Eastern-Eastern talk must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

“I was not there when he reportedly said it, but if he indeed said it as Nyaho-Tamakloe is saying, then Dr Bawumia did not speak well at all. That's not how a national figure speaks.”