My attention has been drawn to an article purported to be reacting to pronouncements I made during a radio talk show in Wa and wish to state unequivocally that I have been misrepresented.

First, though, I will like to commend the authors for the mode used to express their concerns and to say that anytime there is ever any issue of disagreement it should always be best handled through such an intellectual discourse or debate and not by violence as pertains elsewhere. The incontrovertible fact of our history is that our society (Wa) is a highly tolerant one. This fact is rooted in and strengthened by the diverse origins of present day inhabitants of Wa as many can claim historical ancestry to Mali or Mande, Cameroun, Kano in Nigeria, Manprugu, Gonjaland, Saamuni amongst others. What I tried to convey is that, we are all the same people (and this cuts across the whole region – Tejaa Bunyeni).

This is how we all have come to be. Maybe, I might have come late in the chain, but the truth is that I am also here and stand to be counted.

By this account, our ‘cosmopolitan’ society has co-existed and lived in harmony and in a tranquilizing environment for the last century. We should, and proudly must, celebrate this uniqueness of our diverse origins which has become the envy of many. The contributions of many including Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), T.K Serbeh, P& W Ghanem and the honour their achievements have bestowed on all the peoples of Wa and their acceptance into our fold, without question and labeling, is only legendary.

Indeed, it is this unique fact of the history of Wa that must be eulogized. I am therefore surprised that any person or group of persons could misinterpret what I said on radio to mean a complete “disregard of Wala”. This assertion is not only intimidating, and dangerous but also an attack on the stability and unity that we have enjoyed since time.

For the records, and by my actions and words, I am an avid champion of national cohesion of equal opportunities and continental unity. How could any person with such a “global mind” call for the alleged disintegration of Wa, a society I so love, always exploring opportunities to better the lot of her people and therefore want to represent them in a more effective way in Parliament? It is not in my interest to set the Wa society against itself and never will it be.

The bestial life of our people and society require all to unite in the fight against any developmental challenges as has been perpetuated by successive governments. I will unite all diverse interests or forces to see an end to this status quo and to lead the demand for an immediate, equitable socio-economic development for our society and her peoples, irrespective of historical origin. However, in stating my case this far, permit me in all humility to admit that I am humble to plead for clemency should any person or group of persons feel incensed or hurt by the twist placed on the pronouncement I made during the radio interview. Let me re-state that what I said has been caricatured and misrepresented. The spirit and letter of my pronouncements were rather aimed at reinforcing our diversities with a call on our peoples and society to count on our individual as well as collective strengths to launch a renaissance for an upliftment of the society.

This should be a call for all to join the fight for accelerated development of Wa and her peoples.

Bernard Anbataayela Mornah