The Ketu-South Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in concert with a coalition of youth groups in the area has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assist the country to maintain and gain from the strength of its ethnic diversity along the US model.

The call was made at a press-conference at Denu to register the group’s displeasure at the alleged recent hate speech by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Assin-North Member of Parliament (MP), that the Gas and Ewes in the Ashanti Region be eliminated.

Mr. Ben-Bella Haligah, NDC Ketu-South Constituency Secretary, in a five-page statement asked the followers of the Danquah-Busia Tradition and its offspring the NPP, to put a stop to the tribalism and violent posturing they had been known for and rather embrace the peace and unity of Ghanaians.

He listed what he said were antecedents of hate speeches and incitements and comments against Ewes and the Volta Region by persons from that tradition, stressing that such conducts were negative to building a strong country.

Mr. Haligah wondered what Ewes had done to make the likes of Agyapong to be so incensed against them.

He took a swipe at the leadership of the NPP for lending support to the MP instead of condemning him for the “shameful hate calls which brushed the sensibilities of all well-meaning Ghanaians”.

Mr. Haligah however cited for commendation, Mr. John Ndebugri, member of the NPP for coming out to condemn the shameful statement.

“It is unfortunate that the appeal to tribalism and separateness has become a strategy of choice by the NPP in the run-up to the 2012 elections,” he lamented.

Mr. Haligah said the raging and past conflicts in Africa were prompts that promoting inter-ethnic ties was the best choice for Ghana.

He urged the clergy, civil society groups and other stakeholders to stand up against irresponsible talks such as those voiced by Mr Agyapong.**