Concerned Citizens of Akyem State have criticised Presidential Advisor Nana Yaw Osafo-ethnocentric Maafo’s sentiments, which were captured on a covert tape.
In the purported audio, which has lately gone viral, the presidential advisor questioned the Ashanti people’s participation while praising the Akyem tribe for leading the fight for independence during a meeting with delegates of the New Patriotic Party in the Eastern Region.
The Concerned Citizens of Akyem State, in a press release signed by its convener, Evans Arkoh-Frempong Oware, pointed out that the senior presidential advisor is a known tribal bigot, as this is not the first time he has made such a declaration.
Mr Osafo-Maafo was secretly taped in 2016 in a meeting in the Eastern Region with Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Nana Akufo-Addo, saying that Akans deserve to reign over ethnic groupings in the country since their territories are resource endowed. This is the second time Mr. Osafo-Maafo has been caught on film in Ghana fueling tribalism, according to the group.
Concerned Citizens of Akyem State have questioned his legitimacy to make such statements as those heard on the hidden audio, claiming that Nana Yaw Osafo-Maafo is not a true Akyem and hence cannot make such statements.
“The man in issue must be thoroughly investigated to determine why he continues to stoke ethnocentric rivalries between Akyem and Asante, as well as Akans and other communities in Ghana.
“Opanin Kwabena Maafo of Akyem Awisa was his father. Madam Akosua Boatemaa of Assin Nsuta was his mother. Mr Jacob Kwakye Maafo, Mr Osafo’s elderly brother, is the Chief of Assin Nsuta, with the stool name Nana Ohemeng Awere V.
“Mr Osafo Maafo is not an Akyem, according to Akyem customs and traditions.” Since Akyems inherit matrilineally, he is an Assin, according to the group.
It went on to say that the presidential advisor “had no authority to speak for the Akyems because he is an Assin.” What if he’s saying things that others can’t?”
“Historically, the Asante Kingdom was free of British rule and autonomous,” the Akyem group said of Ashantis’ role in Ghana’s independence struggle. They did, however, chose to become Ghanaians in order to unite with their Akan brethren. What, then, makes Asante’s contribution to Ghana’s independence so minor?”
The group separated the people of Akyem from the presidential advisor’s comments, calling it as opposed to the promotion of Ashanti-Akyem unity.
“We the people of Akyem want to distance ourselves from such ethnocentric utterances that do not promote unity and development.” Akyem and Asante stand for unity and progress. Anything that goes contrary to the agenda must be eschewed, “the group insisted.
Read the full statement below:
Concerned Citizens of Akyem State Condemns Osafo Marfo Ethnocentric Comment.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Presidential Advisor to His Excellence Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo and Former Senior Minister, was heard on a secret tape on 10th June, 2022 saying the Akyem chiefs contributed significantly to the Independence of Ghana than the Asantes. This is not the first time such ethocentric comment has proceeded from Mr Osafo-Maafo.
In 2016, Mr Osafo-Maafo in a meeting in the Eastern Region with Hackman Owusu Agyemang and Nana Akufo-Addo, he was secretly taped, saying ethnic Akans, deserve to rule over ethnic groups in the country, since their areas are resource endowed than other ethnic groups in the country. This is the second time Mr Osafo-Maafo has been heard on tape stoking tribalism in Ghana.
Is Mr Osafo-Maafo An Akyem?
The man in question must be carefully scrutinised to know why he keeps stoking ethocentric feud between Akyem and Asante and Akans and other groups in Ghana.
His father was Opanin Kwabena Maafo from Akyem Awisa. His mother was Madam Akosua Boatemaa from Assin Nsuta. Mr Osafo’s elderly brother, Mr Jacob Kwakye Maafo, is the Chief of Assin Nsuta with the stool name Nana Ohemeng Awere V.
Per Akyem customs and traditions, Mr Osafo Maafo is not an Akyem. He is an Assin since Akyems inherit matrilinearly.
So traditionally, he has no right to speak for the Akyems as he is an Assin. What if he is saying what others can’t say?
Historically, Asante Kingdom was free from British rule and was independent. However, they decided to unite with their Akan brothers by accepting to be part of Ghana. So, what makes the contribution of Asante trivial in the independence of Ghana?
We the people of Akyem wants to distant ourselves from such ethocentric utterances that do not promote unity and development. Akyem and Asante stands for unity and progress, anything that goes contrary to the agenda must be eschewed.
Thank you
Evans Arkoh-Frempong Oware
Convener
Tel. 0244414107/ 0279091415