The Queen of Ejisu Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Asantewaa, has appealed to politicians in the country to let the untimely death of the Finance Minister, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, mark the turning point in the use of inflammatory language that incite the citizenry at public platforms.
Such utterances do not only undermine our bond and values that have kept us together for many generations, but also erode the unity and core values of Ghanaians who have a common purpose and are determined to carry our destiny in our own hands.
She shared this piece of advice when she described the death of Mr Baah-Wiredu as untimely. Nana Yaa Asantewaa pointed out that the late finance minister was a gift from God, who had a mission to bring life to the political arena of the country as a way of reminding Ghanaians that "in spite of our political differences, we can still forge ahead as one people".
Nana Yaa Asantewaa noted that the best respects politicians could pay the deceased finance minister was to concentrate on how they could use their political campaigns in the run-up to the December general election to convince Ghanaians that they were the best candidates to harness the natural and human resources of the country for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian but not to resort to anything that would undermine the unity of the state.
"His death raised grave concerns among all the leadership of the political divide, religious bodies, chiefs, opinion leaders, academicians, professional bodies, the business community and the ordinary Ghanaian, and was therefore an indication that he was truly a man of all the people. He served everybody with distinction and his choice of words on political platforms, in Parliament House and other public places soothed pains and brought smiles to the faces of people who listened to him", she added.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic as part of her condolences to the bereaved family, friends and sympathisers at her Palace at Ejisu at the weekend, Nana Yaa Asantewaa pointed out that politicians ought to take a cue from the lifestyle of Mr Baah-Wiredu and develop attitudes that would win for them the heart of majority of Ghanaians through their utterances, actions and even inaction.
"Every word politicians use on political platforms, in public places and at functions are key to the development of the nation because it can either sustain the gains we have chalked up as a nation over the years or inflame passions, thereby setting fire to erode the gains", she warned.
She said as election of leaders at the December general election was gathering momentum, politicians should not allow their interest of gaining political power to erode the gains so far made for Ghana as a democratic state.
She said it was important for them to concentrate on the issues that would win them the support of the electorate instead of using inflammatory language and other remarks that could turn back the clock of progress.
She noted that Mr Baah-Wiredu was one man who had the temperament to deal with various issues and came out successful without resorting to insults to score political points and this was what our politicians should emulate.
For his part, the Paramount Chief of Maaban Traditional Area, Nana Darko Montwe II, said having served the nation with distinction, Mr Baah-Wiredu succeeded in accomplishing his mission as a refined politician before his death.
He said the onus lay on his colleague politicians to learn something from the spontaneous mourning of Ghanaians since the news of his death broke out. This, he said, would enable them to bestow a legacy that would be cherished by the present and future generations.
"The essence of being a politician is not to set the nation apart, but to create an aura of affection through your works to enhance accelerated socio-economic development", he added.
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