Idea of reshuffling progressive step – Kojo Yankah

Mr Kojo Yankah, a former Minister of Ashanti Region in the Rawlings administration, has said that the idea of sending ministers and public officials to regions where they do not originally come from is a progressive step.

He was however of the view that Ghana should have continued with the tradition from Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s time.

Mr Yankah who was the Member of Parliament for Agona East, Central Regional Minister, and Deputy Information Minister in the Rawlings era believed that “it is for lack of understanding of each other’s cultures, values and beliefs that lead some of us to think  narrowly and ethnocentrically”

He noted that lack of appreciation of each other’s identity and origin was a sure way of courting suspicion, fear and unnecessary negative comments about each other.

In a statement the founder of the African University College of Communications (AUCC, suggested that the idea should be taken to the district level as well, and added that “after all, civil servants serve anywhere in Ghana”.

“We should see each other as one people instead of attempting to discriminate on grounds of flimsy excuses. Tribes and ethnic groups exist, but we all have common grounds of concern and interest when it comes to the nation Ghana”, it said.

Recalling his own experience, it said “I entered Ashanti Region when I had never lived there, and never really had the opportunity to interact closely within the Ashanti cultural milieu; but I left there very well educated about Ashantis, their way of life, and their culture… I went with an open mind to go and serve…no attitudes…no prejudgements…no prejudices…..and I enjoyed every bit of my short stay there.”

The statement, however, advised the regional ministers to have an open mind and be humble enough to learn from the people

“You already have the authority from the President, the people already know this, so don’t go and impose your personal authority on them. However, have a broad programme of action that should merge into the national vision and involve the people to bring it to reality…….You are for the whole region, and not a part of it”, it added.

Source: Daily Graphic