Contempt of Tribe: Where is the Martin Amidu of the NPP Party?

Today, it is not unusual to find NPP foot soldiers and stalwarts alike, showering praises on Mr. Martin Amidu. Uncle Amidu is now a cult hero because he went against his own party (NDC) to right a grave injustice against Ghana. For once, we see both NDC and NPP folks coalescing around a hero who placed national interest above partisan politics. It is my eternal prayer that we find more Martin Amidus to create a tipping point for change in Ghana.

I think we can all agree that the tribal effusions that spewed from the gutter mouth of Kennedy Agyapong awhile ago cannot be excused. Talk about contempt! Some of us had hoped that the NPP will ask him to resign and suspend him from the party for making such lewd, crude, hateful and tribe-baiting remarks that could have destabilized the country. Not only did the NPP support him, they refused to exorcise this scumbag from their midst. Indeed, ex-president Kufour admonished the NDC for using a sledge hammer to squash a fly. Nana Addo was also quiet over this despicable act. So today, Ken Agyapong is free and continues as a member of the NPP and parliament of Ghana.

Yesterday, Ghanaweb carried a news item which stipulated that Ken Agyapong has been freed by the courts for making those outrageous utterances with the intention of stirring up tribal mayhem in the country. I am sure some of us are shocked. There is obviously some sort of incompetence somewhere along the line. Either the wrong charges were drummed up or the state did not do a good job prosecuting this loud mouth. I believe it will be an abomination and indeed a bad precedent to let Ken Agyapong off the hook. This contempt of tribes charge must not go unpunished. This MP must pay a price for his vituperations. He must be made a poster boy for what not to say and do as far as tribalism is concerned.

For the first time in history, can we find a Martin Amidu in the NPP who is willing to right the wrong that Ken Agyapong did? Who in the NPP is willing to go against the grain and make sure that Ken Agyapong is punished severely for making such foolish tribal remarks? The tribes in question need justice! Does the NPP have a Martin Amidus amongst them? Who will be brave enough to stand up against what is patently a wrong that must be righted? Who will lead the charge in court to procure justice for the tribe affected? Mr. Agyapong must not only be punished but must be made to publicly apologized and speak to kids about not engaging in tribe baiting.

The question for me is whether the NPP is diverse enough party to tolerate some of its members who refuse to tow the party line and stand up for what is right. Can anyone imagine what will happen to a Martin Amidu in the NPP? Even as the NPP clap relentlessly for Mr. Amidu, have the party taken a look at how it treats its own mavericks? Recently, we’ve seen how Wereko Brobbey has been vilified for defying the party and speaking his mind. Is the elephant heading in the right direction? Is the alleged party of democracy going to change its spot and tolerate free speech?

Ken Agyapong must pay a price for his utterances. The NPP must act to assure Ghanaians that it is not a party that sanctions such behaviors. It must make clear that it does not condone such behavior. The party must tell the whole world that it will deal swiftly with anyone who bad mouths and disrespects any tribe in Ghana. We need a tribally united Ghana! Come on NPP!!

Nii Lantey Okunka Bannerman (Affectionately dubbed the double edge sword but recently tagged santrofi anomaa) I don’t give them hell, I just tell them the truth and they think it is hell---Harry Truman