Levels of ethnic discourse in Ghana – two problematic areas

Has it ever occurred to any writer, or social commentator, that, some ethnic groups are referred to, as if, they do not have subgroups?  A good example is the discourse on Asantes, a sub – ethnic group of the Akans and E?es, an ethnic group.

We read, for example, about, Asante and E?e wars, as if all E?es came together to fight the Asante and Akwuamu armies. The truth of the war is that, even an E?e sub – group, the A?l?s, fought on the side of Asante/ Akwamu armies. So why call the war, Asante/E?e war? The war should be aptly called, Asante/Gbi, Akpini, Bankoe, war, and not Asante /E?e war.

Are the Akans to blame for belittling some ethnic groups, to the level of sub groups? I do not think so. It has more to do with our collective inability to pay attention to details.

Perhaps, size must have played some tricks, on the Akans, too. Ultimately, our educational system, focussed on foreign syllabus, at the expense of disseminating knowledge of ourselves, leading to complete ignorance of each other, is mostly to blame. Perhaps a list of some ethnic groups and their sub ethnicity would help elucidate the matter, further.

E?ES – Gbi (Peki and X?x?e), Akpini (Kpando), Alavanyo, Leklebi, Gbefi, A?l?, Anf?ega, Ave, Agave, Bat?, Mafi, Tovi, Adidome, Sovie,  Sokpoe, Fieve, Some, Adaklu, Dzolo, Kpet?e, Abutia, S?k?die, Tefle, Aveme, Klikor, Kpalime,  Liati, Awudome, Bankoe, Dome, Asogli. These last three kingdoms, are in and around Ho. The list, albeit, limiting sub groups to Ghana, may not be exhaustive.

AKANS – Bono, Fante, Ahanta, Asen, Asante, Adanse, Twifo, Akuapem, Akyem, Akwamu, Kwawu, Sehwi, Awowin, Nzima, Denkyira, Evalue, Wasa and Agona, this list, may not be exhaustive.

GA, ADANGBE (KROBO, SHI, ADA) AND AGOTIME – variants of the above are found in the Republic of Togo, as Esse, Sogbadi Basse and Aneh? ( so-called, ayigbes). In Ghana, sub groups of the Ga are, Osu, Teshie, Nungua, Prampram, Ga mashi, Tema, La and so on.

GUANS – Gonja, Efutu, Larteh, Tsumuru, Anum, Awukugua, Nkonya, Aprade, Senya – Bereku and Likpe (originally classified among the Central Togo Ethnic groups)

AVATIME, NYAGBO, TAFI, LOGBA, AKPAFU, SANTROKOFI, LOLOBI, – were all classified among the Central Togo Ethnic groups. Now, the last 3 together with Likpe, now form the guan constituency in Oti – Region. This latter arrangement of the electoral area, is more of history.

These, all have their paramountcies and may be treated as complete ethnic groups, in themselves. There are some of the groups whose sub ethnicity are difficult to establish. They may respond to both ethnic and sub ethnic discourses.

THE NORTHERN ETHNICITIES

We also, mostly refer to our brothers and sisters from the northern part of Ghana, simply as northeners. I think we can do better than that. The north contains very important kingdoms, we all must treat with utmost reference and respect.

The interesting history of these people must make all of us proud, in partnering them, to form the great country, named, Ghana. These ethnic groups are:

Dagomba, Gonja, Mamprusi (Mole-Dagbani), Nanumba, Gruni (Frafra),  Kusaasi, Kasim, Nankani, Bimoba, Bulsa, Waala, Kokomba, Dagarti, Sisala, Tsokosi, Nawuri, Basari, Busanga, Vagla. This list, may not be exhaustive.

Former President, Dr. Hilla Limann, was a Sisala, referring to his memory as such, is more respectful, than as a northerner.

The minister of defence is a Kokomba, l love to regard him so. The minister of interior, belongs to the Dagarti ethnic group, so is the Speaker of Parliament.

The minister of tourism, is a Dagomba, and former President Mahama, is a Gonja. Our Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is a Mamprusi and would love to be called so, than just a northerner.

We refer to Akans, always by their sub groups, but designate the E?es, as if they are a subgroup, leading to loss of identity. This is also the case of our brethren in the north. They are confined into a cardinal group, leading to a total loss of identity too. Let us learn to call a spade, a spade.

By WG CDR Kwaku Kekrebesi

Sources: 1. F.K Buah (History of Ghana) 1998
2. Benjamin N. Lawrance k(The E?e of Togo and Benin) 2002.
3. Mr.  Francis Ninkpe – Naa Kpiere – Ninkpe
The writer is a Pilot, formerly with the Ghana Armed Forces.
kkekrebesi@gmail.com

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

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