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02.03.2018 Feature Article

Re:How Takoradi Expanded To Be How It Is Now

Re:How Takoradi Expanded To Be How It Is Now
02.03.2018 LISTEN

Before I go on with what I want to say, let me clear some age old misconceptions and erroneous impressions about Sekondi-Takoradi and that is to say that Sekondi-Takoradi is 100% Ahanta. There is no dispute about this and not even a judicial ruling on lands from Hague can annul this fact. We only enjoy coexisting with other tribes on our land because we are known to be one of the most hospitable people on planet earth since the beginning of times.

In times that we are building one country with a common destiny called Ghana, it is very instructive to coexist with other tribes everywhere and anywhere for the peace and security of this country but that does not mean Ahantas or people with Ahanta descent should be disrespected on Ahanta land. Those therefore who are fuelling and sponsoring tribal sentiments for other tribes to appear superior to Ahantas in Sekondi-Takoradi are advised to put a stop to it with immediate effect. It is only respect for other tribes that can foster unity among Ghanaians and anything short of that is a recipe for disaster or chaos so we should try as much as we can to avoid inflamatory tribal sentiments particularly in Sekondi-Takoradi.

For more than 800 years Sekondi-Takoradi has remained Ahanta so any attempt by some feeble minds who seek to distort our story for their own parochial interests will not see the light of the day. We have gone past that stage and our level of tolerance and patience can still be stretched beyond their provocations. We have resisted attempts by foreign and local powers to suppress and oppress the Ahanta personality so a mere tribal propaganda to bequeath Sekondi-Takoradi to other tribes under the pretext of research will forever remain a mirage particularly when some of us still have the gift of life. For thousand times, we will set the records straight.

Now, to the main reason why I am taking my time to clear some misconceptions and erroneous impression about Sekondi-Takoradi that seem to have projected some tribes superior to indigenous Ahanta people particularly in Sekondi-Takoradi. I read a post on Nhyira 104.5 fm's facebook wall on 26/02/17 to my utter dismay and shock how some naive people who have no idea about the people of Ahanta and how our forefathers bequeathed to us such an enviable heritage seek to destroy it by belittle Ahantas on the soils of Sekondi-Takoradi in the name of research. So long as some of us are still alive, we will correct all their distortions and say the Ahanta story rightly. We bear no grudge with anyone that is why I have not mentioned a single tribe in this my write-up. I personally have respect for all the tribes in Ghana and as well appreciate their culture and practices and so must others do to Ahantas particularly those living in Sekondi-Takoradi.

This misleading research was supposedly conducted by one Joe Hanson with ISBN No 2509728171119 and same believed to have been certified by History Department of Ghana Tourism Board and also cited Pre-colonial History of West Africa as his source. He caused same to be published on Nhyira 104.5 fm's facebook wall. All that I want to say is that the so-called research lacks credibility so well meaning Ahanta people should not only forgive his ignorant but pardon him as well. His so-called research is full of factual inaccuracies so it should be ignored and be treated with contempt that it deserves.

Actually this not his first time of doing these types of researches which are skewed against Ahantas and give prominence to other tribes in Sekondi-Takoradi particularly his tribe but let us forgive him like I said earlier. I remember in one of his so-called researches, he sought to say that Takoradi is no man's land. I had to rebuttal his findings until he removed that so-called research from his facebook wall. It shows clearly that he does not know the story of Takoradi in as much as I want to admit that the construction of Harbour in 1920s contributed to the influx of other tribes to Takoradi and eventual commercialisation of Sekondi-Takoradi. What I want to let him know is that the history of Ahantas go beyond British Gold Coast so he should dig further any time he wants to conduct a research on the people of Ahanta.

I don't know the purpose of that shody research as to whether to inform some people about some towns in Sekondi-Takoradi but there is one thing I know for sure that journalism has been thrown to dogs so for whole media house like Nhyira 104.5 fm to have allowed this misinformed, misleading and factually incorrect research to have been posted on their facebook wall suggest how one should be worried about standards of journalism in this country. No one checks facts before bringing out stories over there and that can be very dangerous and injurious to their reputation.

Sekondi-Takoradi has always been Ahanta lands since 1229 when Otumfour Badu Bonso I crossed the Pra river and fought his way through and settled at Busua. In fact, Ahanta is properly defined as the land between Pra and Ankobra rivers. Between 1300 and 1400 Ahanta was a flourishing kingdom with many vassal states so the likes of Joe Hanson and his types who are mischievously changing the Ahanta story to suit other tribes will never succeed because Ahanta can never be suppressed and oppressed by attempts to project other tribes superior to Ahanta. No tribe is superior to Ahanta because we have never been ruled by any indigenous tribe in the past, present and in future no tribe will rule us.

Just as the so-called research is to be continued, I will also want end here and continue later. For thousand years to come, Sekondi-Takoradi will remain 100% Ahanta.

Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III
[email protected]
#Ahantasdiaries_28_02_18

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