The three divisions of Akyem — Abuakwa, Bosome and Kotoku in the Eastern Region — are planning a massive demonstration against former President John Dramani Mahama and his NDC for an alleged disparaging remarks he has made about them.
Mr. Mahama, who is staging a comeback, sparked an uproar last week when he described the people of Akyem, the ethnic group of sitting President Akufo-Addo, as ‘Sakawa Boys’— a term largely used to refer to people who engage in internet fraud, dubious or criminal activities.
Mr. Mahama had shared on his Facebook an unprovoked blistering attack on the persons of President Akufo-Addo and his Vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by Isaac Adongo, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, on the Agyapa Royalties debate.
Isaac Adongo had called those working on the Agyapa deal as ‘Akyem Mafia’ and Mr. Mahama amplified the NDC MP’s vitriolic comment on his Facebook page by adding ‘Akyem Sakawa Boys.’
A group calling itself “Concerned Citizens of Akyem Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome” said it is demonstrating against the former President at the Asamakese Lorry Park at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9.
“The Chiefs and Concerned Citizens of Akyem Abuakwa, Kotoku and Bosome kindly invites you to a Protest March and Press Conference over Mr. Mahama’s tribal bigotory (sic),” the group said in a statement copied to DAILY GUIDE.
They said “tribalism has no place in contemporary Ghanaian politics and we want to show our displeasure to the former President and his NDC that they cannot continue to divide us. We shall use peaceful protest to make our views clear to them.”
In the heat of the moment, Mr. Mahama justified his actions during a television interview when he said the President did not have any moral right to complain and turned around to accuse the President of whipping up ethnic sentiments.
“In that post, Isaac Adongo describes certain people in Akufo- Addo’s government in a particular manner. I will be the last person to disparage any ethnic group,” he claimed.
