Fanteakwa MP’s Statement Was Thoughtless And Reckless – Tony Aidoo

Head of the Evaluation and Oversight Unit at the Office of the President, Dr Tony Aidoo has condemned out-rightly the statement made by the Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa, Hon. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah which sought to suggest that the under development of Northern Ghana is as a result of the attitude of its people who fail to take up opportunities available to them.

He described the MP’s statement as ethnocentric, thoughtless and reckless. According to him, the MP’s statement is unworthy to come from a member of the law making body of Ghana.

Hon Asiamah, who was making a contribution on the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning Show on Monday May 30, suggested that the initiative may fail if the people of the North failed to adopt the right attitude and eschew vandalism. According to him, the continuous poverty cycle of the north is mind boggling given the vast and fertile agricultural lands available.

The comments have since ignited heated debate in public circles and in Parliament where the Deputy Energy Minister, Hon. Inusah Fuseini raised the matter on the floor of the House and even demanded that the leadership look into the compliant.

Hon. Inusah Fuseini argued that the MP allegedly lumped all Northerners together by describing them as people with a “poverty mentality” and also insinuated that they are lazy.

Speaking on Radio Gold’s political programme, “Alhaji and Alhaji”, Dr. Tony Aidoo said people must stop trying to shift attention by pointing accusing fingers at the Tamale Central MP who brought the matter to the attention of parliament.

“The statement the NPP MP made was derogatory; the statement was ethnocentric, thoughtless and reckless. Don’t shift the coast by trying to point at something to lay on Inusah Fuseini who has the preference of mind to bring the matter to the attention of parliament,” he fumed.

According to him, it was because the statement was in bad taste that is why the Minority Leader, Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu thought it wise to issue an apology.