....they are bush rats and are yet to see civilization after the SC reads out the verdict.
When they tell you don't resemble a northerner, just ask the person where s/he comes from, Bush Rats paaaaaaaaaaaa.
....they are bush rats and are yet to see civilization after the SC reads out the verdict.
When they tell you don't resemble a northerner, just ask the person where s/he comes from, Bush Rats paaaaaaaaaaaa.
Fantomas 10 years ago
What is the meaning of your first sentence? Bush rats employ your smelly trokosi family as farm hands and watchmen of incompleted buildings.
Don't even talk of civilization amongst trokosis when you lack hygenic understan ... read full comment
What is the meaning of your first sentence? Bush rats employ your smelly trokosi family as farm hands and watchmen of incompleted buildings.
Don't even talk of civilization amongst trokosis when you lack hygenic understanding and don't know what water is apart from drinking it and that is why you fools smell like skunks.
KOLA, LONDON MAIN 10 years ago
You are an illiterate. Where did you schooled? Do you live in a shark?
You are an illiterate. Where did you schooled? Do you live in a shark?
AFRICABI 10 years ago
A REALLY COOL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING PIECE. WE ALL CAN LEARN FROM THIS. THANKS FOR SHARING, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, BRO NUHU.
A REALLY COOL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING PIECE. WE ALL CAN LEARN FROM THIS. THANKS FOR SHARING, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, BRO NUHU.
BISHOP 10 years ago
Brother i had a similar experience growing up in Accra and to my surprise these things popped up more after mutli party democracy was introduced into the system where some ppl feel they are at war with other Ghanaians based o ... read full comment
Brother i had a similar experience growing up in Accra and to my surprise these things popped up more after mutli party democracy was introduced into the system where some ppl feel they are at war with other Ghanaians based on their ethnic origins and the assumed party they may support.
One of the saddest part is all these negative things are passed on from adults onto their kids and not until the cycle is broken nothing is gonna change.
Good Citizen 10 years ago
before we can break the circle, just learn a few stereotypess about the other tribes or southerners and throw it at them if they stereotppe you,simple harmless example,if an Ashanti,Krobo, Akyem Ga,Fanti,Bono,or any other tri ... read full comment
before we can break the circle, just learn a few stereotypess about the other tribes or southerners and throw it at them if they stereotppe you,simple harmless example,if an Ashanti,Krobo, Akyem Ga,Fanti,Bono,or any other tribe in the south calls you Northerner,though harmless,refer to him as Southerner and he will quickly say oh I am say Ga, or Fante,then you can then take the opportunity to cure his ignorance that there is no tribe call Northerner in the North.there was this girl who called me pepeni and asked me how I felt about it,I said I was cool with it since that is how they describe people of Northerner extraction,just as we also call them kanbonga,she was offended and said she was an Ashanti,I said well I am also a Mossi and not a pepeni,and she was educated.
Sien 10 years ago
Hahahaha, that's funny!
Hahahaha, that's funny!
Agonahene 10 years ago
Good Citizen, I don't believe any Asante or southerner will feel offended if you call him kanbonga, because we don't even understand it. The sentiments expressed by the writer is not limited to only northerners but southerner ... read full comment
Good Citizen, I don't believe any Asante or southerner will feel offended if you call him kanbonga, because we don't even understand it. The sentiments expressed by the writer is not limited to only northerners but southerners as well. Many Norherners and non-Akans consider all Twi-speaking people as Asantes though we have many tribes among Akans.
Again, every tribe in Ghana has suffered its fair share of stereotype in Ghana but the difference is that whiles Northerners easily take offense, those from the south usually ignore them or find some reply. I must also say that most of the insults thrown at northerners are as a result of the fact that many northerners have lived together with southerners for so many years and are able to realize certain characteristics that are typical of them hence the generalization.
In my humble opinion, the best cure for this mischief, misconception, disrespect or insults against northerners is to keep a clear head. Adopt the mindset or attitude that "nobody loves us and nobody hates us". Northerners seem to believe anything that is thrown at them even if it affects them negatively and that accounts for the low self esteem that many suffer. I have a close friend who comes from the north. He is very intelligent, and I must say his depth of knowledge is very rare, in fact he is a genius. However, when it comes politics and some professional issues, he quickly becomes "ordinary" and suggest that some Akans don't have his tribe's interest. Again I once sat in a bus with one northerner and we had discussion about the roads in Ghana. To my surprise the guy accused one political party of failing to onstruct the Eastern Corridor road because "that party doesn't want the north to open up like the south". I then shut my mouth.
No tribe in Ghana was created by God to hate people from the north and the sooner you realize it the faster you see things clearly and redeem yourself in the eyes of other tribes. That is why many discerning minds frown upon the use of ethnic card in Ghana politics. We should shy away from politicians who say "oh... as for this party they don't like you, they will use you and dump you". I think those propaganda enhance the political fortunes of a political party but has a very negative effect on the self esteem and mindset of the tribe.
Even if I have not learnt anything at all, I know that the Ghanaian politician thinks about his pocket first before his tribe. A word to the wise.
Sogreh 10 years ago
Northerners seem to believe anything that is thrown at them even if it affects them negatively and that accounts for the low self esteem that many suffer-Agonahene. Who told you northerners have low self-esteem? You must be d ... read full comment
Northerners seem to believe anything that is thrown at them even if it affects them negatively and that accounts for the low self esteem that many suffer-Agonahene. Who told you northerners have low self-esteem? You must be dreaming if you have an inkling of thought that we feel that way. You call your northern friend ordinary when it comes to politics, have you ever cared to know how your northern friend feels about you when it comes to politics- he may think you are myopic politically and may not want to have politic discussion with you.
A friend of mine thought that the late Vice president Aliu Mahama was not qualify to be a presidential candidate when K4 was about to live office. He had no reasons whatsoever to back this claim but then went on to say that some Akan guy was more qualified.
I do agree with you about politicians who don't give a fuck about us but their pockets. These people disagree on everything except for increasing their pay
You should read my respond below : Most southerners are ignorant, period!
Agonahene 10 years ago
Sogreh, I am not dreaming. And you may choose to deny this thing about self esteem but put pride aside, it is true. That is why many Southerners feel superior. If you read my comments carefully, you will know that my authorit ... read full comment
Sogreh, I am not dreaming. And you may choose to deny this thing about self esteem but put pride aside, it is true. That is why many Southerners feel superior. If you read my comments carefully, you will know that my authority on the issues comes from critical understanding and analysis of issues. You can only feel superior when others have given you the reason to believe so.
As an educated person, why don't you look at the root of this negative attitude by many southerners towards northerners and vice versa? Look at issues dispassionately and you will know the answers.
About Aliu Mahama qualifications, I don't agree with your friend, however what many of you fail to realize is that political parties especially NPP are not charitable organizations that award flagbearer positions to people because of their tribal origins. No, you must work hard for it.
Vice presidents are almost always not closest to presidents. They are picked to enhance the chances of presidential candidates so the fact that K4 didn't support Aliu doesn't mean it was because of dislike for Aliu or because he came from the North. If Mills had not died, there is no guarantee that Mahama would ever be presidential candidate of the NDC. It is an open secret that Ato Ahwoi was more powerful in the NDC than Mahama and he was grooming his young brother Kwesi Ahwoi to succeed Mills.
You see, you must have your own support base or stature in a political party before you can become a candidate. Let me ask you, between Akufo-Addo and Alan or Aliu, who has more strength in NPP? let us not allow some people to deceive us. Even the northern delegates did not vote for Aliu. Why? You think they hate their brother? Or the moment one becomes an NPP member some demon enters you and you begin to hate Northerners?
All I'm trying to say is that, nobody dislikes or disrespect any tribe for fanciful reasons. These things weren't as intense before 1992. This growing polarization is being orchestrated by some wicked people who seek their parochial interests. Do not help the wicked ones to fan ethnic hatred. Stay blessed.
dani boy 10 years ago
na true my brother. even though i am a southner, i don't take kindly to some of these comments. In 1998, when NAFAG was organised in bolgatanga, i over heard some southners telling each other about the wrong perceptions they ... read full comment
na true my brother. even though i am a southner, i don't take kindly to some of these comments. In 1998, when NAFAG was organised in bolgatanga, i over heard some southners telling each other about the wrong perceptions they had about the north. they never thought of seeing storey buildings in bolga. infact, we the southners really need education
Sogreh 10 years ago
People like you can get all the degrees in the world or relocate to the most advanced of countries but you're no better than a shoe-shine boy in Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Illiteracy does not only mean the inability to read and co ... read full comment
People like you can get all the degrees in the world or relocate to the most advanced of countries but you're no better than a shoe-shine boy in Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Illiteracy does not only mean the inability to read and comprehend but also the inability to apply everything you have read into your daily life, poor soul.
Kojo T 10 years ago
Cannot resist themselves
Cannot resist themselves
KB Saka 10 years ago
Sometimes people can tell you, "Oh, you don't look like a Northerner..." without meaning any harm. Being a well-travelled man, I believe the writer can quite often deduce the nationality of individuals by their looks, dressin ... read full comment
Sometimes people can tell you, "Oh, you don't look like a Northerner..." without meaning any harm. Being a well-travelled man, I believe the writer can quite often deduce the nationality of individuals by their looks, dressing, actions, etc. Whereas some folks can only see Chinese people, other people can easily tell who is Korean as opposed to Chinese or Vietnamese, etc. I have been mistaken for a Ga on numerous occasions, and there have been other occasions when fellow Ghanaians thought I wasn't a Ghanaian! Many a time, I have addressed strangers in English, only to hear them reply excitedly in my native Fante!! Your article will be an eye opener to many of our compatriots, I hope. Good job!!
Sogreh 10 years ago
Saka,
You may be right in your assessment but the writer actually means exactly what he wrote. There have been times when I was mistaken for a Nigerian but in those situations, it was never "Oh, you don't look like a Northe ... read full comment
Saka,
You may be right in your assessment but the writer actually means exactly what he wrote. There have been times when I was mistaken for a Nigerian but in those situations, it was never "Oh, you don't look like a Northerner...", it was always I thought you were Nigerian (by Ghanaians) or Jamaican (mostly by white people) and I always politely correct them. I have been through the incidents the writer recounted and I have been disgusted and enraged by everyone of them, so you can see.
Aj-usa 10 years ago
Dude,the writer got it all wrong to my opinion.I school with a lot of northerners in 80's but we were like brothers irespertive of your tribe.all this bull shit came up recently, due to some fake politians using as way to sco ... read full comment
Dude,the writer got it all wrong to my opinion.I school with a lot of northerners in 80's but we were like brothers irespertive of your tribe.all this bull shit came up recently, due to some fake politians using as way to score points.ppl who are not confident enough or not happy with the tribe they came from.make such comments.
Sien 10 years ago
Did you read what you wrote? Most white people don't believe that there's racism in the USA, do you believe that too? Then again you're not smart enough to see the logic in what I asked you. Why don't you ask the northerners ... read full comment
Did you read what you wrote? Most white people don't believe that there's racism in the USA, do you believe that too? Then again you're not smart enough to see the logic in what I asked you. Why don't you ask the northerners you know in the US to see if they have ever faced similar situations?
Agonahene 10 years ago
Malcolm X once said that you cannot be acceptable to others unless you have proven to be acceptable to yourself. The black man or African should not expect the same treatment the white man will give his fellow white man, just ... read full comment
Malcolm X once said that you cannot be acceptable to others unless you have proven to be acceptable to yourself. The black man or African should not expect the same treatment the white man will give his fellow white man, just as the respect you will accord the children your servants will not be the same as you give your children. That is why it is said respect is earned not commanded.
I'm sad to say that we black people have not yet earned the respect of the white man, and that is as a result of our own doing. Whiles the average white man is thinking beyond his generation, the average black person is not thinking beyond a month. We are always thinking about our personal parochial interest. If we continue to blame and condemn others, or force others to respect us, we shall continue to lose sight of our weaknesses and negative tendencies.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago
This is a very interesting article though I must confess that, I never experienced or observed this north-south divide at boarding schools in Ghana. In fact, race or ethnicity was not an issue in any of the two secondary scho ... read full comment
This is a very interesting article though I must confess that, I never experienced or observed this north-south divide at boarding schools in Ghana. In fact, race or ethnicity was not an issue in any of the two secondary schools I attended. At sixth form, I had two mates from the north and I think one might have attended the same secondary school as the writer.
Race discrimination is in every society though often I met black people who believe otherwise. Race discrimination is not just about skin colour but also include any less favourable treatment on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, ethnic or national origins or country of origin.
Mr Saka, I have similar experience to you. When in Ghana most people told me I speak Akan like a Ga person and mistook me for a Ga though I do not even speak Ga. Others took me for another ethnic group. Then in the UK, most Africans and especially, Ghanaians consider me to be Caribbean. East and South Africans also believe I am one of them. I am often stopped on the street and asked if I am from Kenya or South Africa.
I remember one day, I accompanied a Ghanaian friend to visit his cousin in London. After he was welcomed and greeted in Akan, I was ushered in with greetings in English. They were shocked when my friend told them I am not only Ghanaian but an Akan so they should speak Akan with me. The same thing happens here in Cambridge. Whenever I meet Ghanaians and introduce myself as a Ghanaian they are surprised. In fact, one woman who lives around my area doubted it and actually asked me if I had ever heard of her family name. Surprisgnly, I told her one of my mates in secondary had the same family name. Is that good or bad? I must admit that I prefer speaking English because my Akan is a bit weak, though I have a typical Ghanaian accent.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Kofi, by their very nature, St Augustine's and St. Peters (which you attended; and one of my own brothers was at St Augustine's for sixth form too) are the least likely places to find such stereotyping because of the nature o ... read full comment
Kofi, by their very nature, St Augustine's and St. Peters (which you attended; and one of my own brothers was at St Augustine's for sixth form too) are the least likely places to find such stereotyping because of the nature of those institutions.
Contrast that with GSTS where my elder brother (and 3 of his mates from Navrongo School did their Sixth Form) where they had to put up a robust defence because of stereotyping. I certainly experienced it too at Obuasi Sec tech where a Form 2 boy even attempted to bully me, but within one week, the whole school knew exactly who they were dealing with!.
In the medical school it was relatively common especially among some of the consultants but whilst I was there, I made sure they 'ate their words' and did not mess with me (and my colleagues) though I know individuals of northern decent who suffered needlessly at Korle-bu in those days. One of them was a classmate of mine who is now the leading Radiologist in the whole of Ghana!!! Another is a brilliant surgeon, and about 5 of them were top of their classes during their time there.
Indeed the record for the greatest number of distinctions at the Medical School in Korlebu is held by a chap who hails from the Upper West region and a product of St Francis Xavier too. There is yet another top Renal Transplant Authority in a leading teaching hospital in New York also from such beginnings. These guys simply go about their business without making a fuss. It's a shame we have a country where people look at others in the way described here. A real shame indeed!
Good Citizen 10 years ago
why are all disagree with the writer respond as if they have not read the article,the writer is saying more often than not it is when he exhibits positive attribute that people are surprise that he is a Northern,so please do ... read full comment
why are all disagree with the writer respond as if they have not read the article,the writer is saying more often than not it is when he exhibits positive attribute that people are surprise that he is a Northern,so please do not re-write his article and respond to it your own way.for example a certain policeman saw me in the walewale in the northern, where I was working and he was also posted there,he approached me and started speaking Twi to me,I responded but told him my Twi was suspect,we both laughed at it,and next thing he said was because you are handsome I thught you were an Asante.it means only Asantes can be handsome the rest of us are monkeys abi.
K. Sarpong, Selden. New York. 10 years ago
I went to Legon with one Kofi Ata in the early 80's. I have been reading your articles which I find well researched and thoughtful.Are you the same guy who resided at Commonwealth Hall and read law?
I went to Legon with one Kofi Ata in the early 80's. I have been reading your articles which I find well researched and thoughtful.Are you the same guy who resided at Commonwealth Hall and read law?
Grammar Police 10 years ago
Great writing ... except for that one word: complement. Should have been compliment.
Great writing ... except for that one word: complement. Should have been compliment.
jack 10 years ago
Great article.
Great article.
Y.Inusah 10 years ago
Well said, I had faced countless situations like Nuhu enumerated. I always felt sad why our own brothers and sisters have very little knowledge about northerners. The other question they will always ask is; are you a Ghanaian ... read full comment
Well said, I had faced countless situations like Nuhu enumerated. I always felt sad why our own brothers and sisters have very little knowledge about northerners. The other question they will always ask is; are you a Ghanaian? This question alway arises if they speak Twi and you reply in English.
I think its time people are educated right.We will not develop well as a country if we are divided on this tribal or regional lines. The unfortunate thing is many such people have not travelled outside their home towns/region and cannot read and those who do,their minds are clouded with illusions, or just for selfish interest to the detriments of the country as a whole.
Its good to travel and have experience, let also encourage Ghanaians once in the blue moon, take a trip to the north say Mole National Park etc., it will change some of these wrong attitudes. If we do not change these who will?
Let us all put our hands on the deck, and we will make progress.
James B. Otafregya 10 years ago
In Germany, starting from Class 2 ie Prinmary 2, pupils do make excursions to all parts of the country and also in other European countries, so that by the time they finish Class 13, they have already travelled wide.
This ... read full comment
In Germany, starting from Class 2 ie Prinmary 2, pupils do make excursions to all parts of the country and also in other European countries, so that by the time they finish Class 13, they have already travelled wide.
This is what we call "ani bue" ie open-eye.
KOLA PROGRESSING FORWARD 10 years ago
Kwasia Kola at his usual stupid self doing spell check. Fool like him with his atrocious grammar.
Kwasia Kola at his usual stupid self doing spell check. Fool like him with his atrocious grammar.
IB 10 years ago
Nuhu, brilliant piece. And as Southerner with a Muslim name, i have equally endured this lunacy from my southern people. And i sometimes want to shake this lunacy out of them. My own Akan brother would want to find out my nam ... read full comment
Nuhu, brilliant piece. And as Southerner with a Muslim name, i have equally endured this lunacy from my southern people. And i sometimes want to shake this lunacy out of them. My own Akan brother would want to find out my name, and when i mention my Muslim first name and my Akan surname, he will stupidly ask wether i am a Norther. You will ask him why he thought so,the only stupid answer he will give is "oh but you have a Muslim name so you should definately come from the north". The answer is not even more annoying than the tone with which it is said, and this stupid answer comes from very educated people who sometimes have Phd. But fortunately for me i reply with my own version of sarcasm which leaves them dumb founded. I start by asking them their name, and 9 out of 10 will have a first name that sounds European or Christian, so i also go like, "oh, so you are from Europe or Isreal". Funny enough they have to think for a while before they realise that i have insulted them. hahahahahahaa we are a very dumb bunch, dont you think so.
Sien 10 years ago
Hahahaha, that's a great one
Hahahaha, that's a great one
Me4U 10 years ago
".... this stupid answer comes from very educated people who sometimes have Phd".
Aren't you being stupid as well? Are all PhD studies in Culture and Society?
How is someone with a PhD in Molecular Biology or Electroch ... read full comment
".... this stupid answer comes from very educated people who sometimes have Phd".
Aren't you being stupid as well? Are all PhD studies in Culture and Society?
How is someone with a PhD in Molecular Biology or Electrochemistry be expected to be a specialist in Social Science?
It is not about the level of education but ethics and the awareness of cultural differences.
IB 10 years ago
hahahaaaa, Me4U didnt get the arguement by IB. I will not be surprised if you are in this category IB was referring to. The thrust of IB's arguement is that, any educated Ghanaian should not ask such daft question much more a ... read full comment
hahahaaaa, Me4U didnt get the arguement by IB. I will not be surprised if you are in this category IB was referring to. The thrust of IB's arguement is that, any educated Ghanaian should not ask such daft question much more a Phd holder. For example if someone says he is called Ibrahim Yeboah, common sense will let you know that the guy is a Muslim and Akan. In the same breath if you are called Joseph Boakye, you will most def be a christian and Akan. So asking someone(who is called Ibrahim Yeboah) whether he is a northener is very dumb and shouldnt come from an educated person much more a Phd holder.And for the records Phd is not to turn you into a robot, but is to make you reason as a rational human being and therefore if a Phd holder fails to do that in terms of simple, basic deductions, then he must be a very stupid Phd holder.
James B. Otafregya 10 years ago
PhD education is not training specialized nerds. Fact is: in addition to their area of specialization, PhD holders MUST be broad in knowledge ie have some level knowledge of their environment, geographical, history etc.
... read full comment
PhD education is not training specialized nerds. Fact is: in addition to their area of specialization, PhD holders MUST be broad in knowledge ie have some level knowledge of their environment, geographical, history etc.
PhD holders in Ghana think the way you do : specialize in area A, don't care about anything else. What they forget is that no area of education is entirely isolated from all others.
A personal friend of mine finished the University of Heidelberg Medical School, worked 3 years and after that decided to study History. Now he is a PhD and professor in History.
My former professor in Information and Comminications Technology at a German University was previously a Theologist (with PhD in Theology) studied. The prof, a German who had never been to Ghana, could tell me the entire geography and history about Ghana in the days of Kwame Nkrumah.
He was an example of a knowledgable personality and not just a Ph D holder, the kind of nerds we have in Ghana.
CHE ANDREW 10 years ago
If you have enough brains to acquire PhD in Molecular Biology but become so stupid as to determine the ethnic origins of a Ghanian by mere physical features or what s/he does, then that PhD is very useless indeed. Education s ... read full comment
If you have enough brains to acquire PhD in Molecular Biology but become so stupid as to determine the ethnic origins of a Ghanian by mere physical features or what s/he does, then that PhD is very useless indeed. Education should make such a PhD holder more broad minded than this narrow-minded thinking.
CHE ANDREW 10 years ago
IB, I have suffered the same shameful stupidity as many commentators are sharing. Stereotyping is the root of ethnocentrism and tribalism. The shame is that people you will think should know better are the worst offenders. So ... read full comment
IB, I have suffered the same shameful stupidity as many commentators are sharing. Stereotyping is the root of ethnocentrism and tribalism. The shame is that people you will think should know better are the worst offenders. Some people refer to me as a communist because of my name Che. Some people call me a northerner when I take a stand on issue concerning northern Ghana because of my over 20 year experience working there and my over 40 year experience schooling and traveling round northern Ghana so I speak several northern languages. Some people call me an Ewe when I begin to speak Ewe and they say "O are you an Ewe?". No one questions your origin and roots when you speak English like a parrot and pretend to be more fluent in English than the Queen of the United Kingdom! Ghanaians are really a funny lot!
mmn 10 years ago
Nuhu don't worry. With time this kind of ethnocentrism will disappear. Its taking a little bit of time for blacks to be recognized by white people in America. Its a battle for minorities around the world because the majority ... read full comment
Nuhu don't worry. With time this kind of ethnocentrism will disappear. Its taking a little bit of time for blacks to be recognized by white people in America. Its a battle for minorities around the world because the majority is always out there to bully. The best way out of such rants and abuse is for you to ignore the perpetrators because they know less. I want our Akan speakers on the forum, unfortunately some are the worse offenders. Soon they will see the light. The world has no place for people like them.
AKWELE 10 years ago
One Ghana, no division.
One Ghana, no division.
Dangerous! USA!!!! 10 years ago
You people should read well. Nuhu did not write the piece, OK. Faulty observations left and right!!
You people should read well. Nuhu did not write the piece, OK. Faulty observations left and right!!
Patriot 10 years ago
I can feel your pain Nuhu when other tribes see all twi speaking people as Asantes and every bad thing done by Akan is Blamed on Asantes.
I can feel your pain Nuhu when other tribes see all twi speaking people as Asantes and every bad thing done by Akan is Blamed on Asantes.
Aj-usa 10 years ago
Thank u dude,u have said it all.any bull shit any Akan tribe does goes to the Asantes.most Ghanaians don't even know the differences in the Akans tribes.
Thank u dude,u have said it all.any bull shit any Akan tribe does goes to the Asantes.most Ghanaians don't even know the differences in the Akans tribes.
James B. Otafregya 10 years ago
I am sure that word is used by Akans to describe people from the north.
I am sure that word is used by Akans to describe people from the north.
Kwadwo 10 years ago
Nuhu, I am from Sunyani and I am familiar with Ridge Experimental School. It is one of the finest preparatory schools in the country. Coach Kwesi Appiah is a graduate of that school. Sunyani is also one of the most welcom ... read full comment
Nuhu, I am from Sunyani and I am familiar with Ridge Experimental School. It is one of the finest preparatory schools in the country. Coach Kwesi Appiah is a graduate of that school. Sunyani is also one of the most welcoming cities in Ghana. You may have suffered what most migrants go through when they arrive at a new place. A Brong student at Mfantsipim or Achimota is teased from hailing from a forest region where big plantains grow. He will never live that down unless he grows a tough skin. Our school mates may have called us tribal names, but in the end, most of these bullies become our best friends in life. From what I know of Ridge Experimental, I believe you have a thin skull and may be carrying this northern thing too far.
Kojo T 10 years ago
These schools do not tease on tribal lines . This is not true
These schools do not tease on tribal lines . This is not true
Brother 10 years ago
Kwadwo, it seems you did not read his piece. He said a teacher, a class two teacher not only students. Ok. Read it once more
Kwadwo, it seems you did not read his piece. He said a teacher, a class two teacher not only students. Ok. Read it once more
DR QUADRATIC 10 years ago
He could of said it better. All what he said happened to many a person. I have a long time enemity with someone who complained seriously about racism in Germany and other parts of EU, and how stupid the white man was in think ... read full comment
He could of said it better. All what he said happened to many a person. I have a long time enemity with someone who complained seriously about racism in Germany and other parts of EU, and how stupid the white man was in thinking that the black man is ´´useless until proven otherwise´´.When i asked him to compare what goes on Ghana among people of same colour and country,and how some even think the north is not fit to be part of Ghana, this ended our friendship till today. My analysis were insulting,he said.
Sien 10 years ago
But that's the truth, plus you don't need such a person as a friend, Ghanaian or not
But that's the truth, plus you don't need such a person as a friend, Ghanaian or not
CHE ANDREW 10 years ago
I enjoy the fun some ethnic groups play on one another. The Dagombas vrs the Moshies; Gonja-Kanjagas-Sisaala-Kasinas; Dagaaba vrs Frafras (Grunni people). There are occasions long time friend from different ethnic origins pok ... read full comment
I enjoy the fun some ethnic groups play on one another. The Dagombas vrs the Moshies; Gonja-Kanjagas-Sisaala-Kasinas; Dagaaba vrs Frafras (Grunni people). There are occasions long time friend from different ethnic origins poke jokes about their different tribes but this is purely laughing at themselves than insulting their one another. Take an Ewe and an Asante making fund on eating of cat meat and the excessive love of sugar and sweet things. They just poke fun at each other and nothing more.
Akos Connecticut 10 years ago
If those of us who went to school in Sakasaka, refuse to settle in Accra ..we have adopted the western style..having big parties with all glamour ..could open up businesses in our town and be frequenting there like Bugri-Na ... read full comment
If those of us who went to school in Sakasaka, refuse to settle in Accra ..we have adopted the western style..having big parties with all glamour ..could open up businesses in our town and be frequenting there like Bugri-Nabu's, Dr Delle etc...we would have help a great deal to transform our people....do not sit in Accra and think our up and coming children will transform by the day...all hand on deck...Mahama has started by increasing scholarships for students in the north, i hope they will come back to the community...lets help ourselves and people will stop calling us names
Alhaji Brutus Germany 10 years ago
We dont have any better Ghanaian.Whoever think he or she is better should go and live in the sea.
We dont have any better Ghanaian.Whoever think he or she is better should go and live in the sea.
Isaac Amoah 10 years ago
I have had to deal with such questions for a long time. but as for me I just laugh it off.
I have had to deal with such questions for a long time. but as for me I just laugh it off.
Sogreh 10 years ago
I have come to the conclusion that most southerners are ignorant and full of bullshit but there are still a good percentage (of about 25%)who are well versed in their geography and treat everyone from Ghana with the same resp ... read full comment
I have come to the conclusion that most southerners are ignorant and full of bullshit but there are still a good percentage (of about 25%)who are well versed in their geography and treat everyone from Ghana with the same respect.
One big important information that most Ghanaians have no knowledge of is the fact that the south had a 393 (three hundred and ninety-three) year advance on education on their northern brethren. Independence Now! refers to the British attempt to bring some educational institutions to northern Ghana before handing over the country to Nkrumah and his fellow Ghanaians. Nkrumah promised the British government that if Britain gave independence to Ghana NOW, he'll provide free boarding houses to northerners. The free education most southerners think northerners enjoy is actually FREE BOARDING HOUSE VOUCHER not the actual fees for attending school or tuition. A day-student in the north pays as much as students in the south, of course according to the education provided at the school. No school in the north was open in 1880 or even 1915. Most northerners are first generations in their families when it comes to education and a few have second generations. Most southerners have four to seven generations into education but you still don't think there should be disparity between the north and south, hmm. The British used northerners, who're mostly physically built, for their work in the south and had no actual intention of educating them until the last minute
I know a lot of people will attack me for saying most southerners are ignorant,and i will defend my commends. Like the writer, I'm a northerner who have been in similar position several times and the results, though different places, are the same. As a Ghanaian, first and foremost, living in US, I'm always excited to see another Ghanaian but not once have I ever asked anyone what part of Ghana they are from. My southern counterparts, though, are always asking that question after the initial introduction and possibly a story or two about life in Ghana. "What part of Ghana are you from?" always seems to be the question and once that question is asked, I know why it is asked and the reaction after the question. The demeanor of the questioner usually changes as to say "oh if you're from the north, I'm from the south and I'm better than you lots". Idiot, how are you better than me when you go to the same school I go to or live in the same city as I do? How can you be better than me when both you and I get profiled by the same people here? Even in Ghana, you could possibly not be better than me because you don't know my family history, social status,values and culture. I personally don't think anyone is better than me or I am better than anyone. At the end of the day when we all die, we'll be buried six-feet deep, poor, rich, fat, skinny, white, black, Asian or Latino, nothing less or more.
For example, a friend of mine who I went to college with was dumb enough to start a conversation, at my house where I was throwing a party, saying that northerners are stupid and always fight because of guinea fowls. I immediately got mad and told him that was disrespectful and ignorant of him. I asked him if he's ever been to the north and the answer was a resounding NO but he can make a proclamation of northerners base on non-factual knowledge. I was in Tamale when the tribal conflict started and that conflict had nothing to do with any bird or animal for that matter.
I could go on and on with many many interactions between my southern brothers and sisters, but hey.....
kotoua selira 10 years ago
You don't look like a Northerner:) How do northerners look.silly people
You don't look like a Northerner:) How do northerners look.silly people
kotoua selira 10 years ago
I was born in Kumasi,grew up among Ashantis.I can bet that ashantis are the nicest people you can find in Ghana.I have millions of classmates,friends,relatives and girl friends who are ashantis. We live together in happiness: ... read full comment
I was born in Kumasi,grew up among Ashantis.I can bet that ashantis are the nicest people you can find in Ghana.I have millions of classmates,friends,relatives and girl friends who are ashantis. We live together in happiness:) I don't know where this akan thing is coming from.It’s just a shame that people can speak like this for other people.Some people go to the extend of calling the Ghana president a toilet man:) who is ruling your ass:)) and there is nothing you can do about it.We should learn to accept each other as one people because we belong to the same nation and we are one people.
Kipo Maxwel 10 years ago
This article is in quotation and written by vincent Kuuire. Anyway, it is a very educative piece.Thanks.
This article is in quotation and written by vincent Kuuire. Anyway, it is a very educative piece.Thanks.
mmn 10 years ago
This is hogwash, who told you ashantis are nice people? I schooled in Kumasi as well and these people will be quick for you to know that they are better than you once you are not one of them. I feel very bad about the way the ... read full comment
This is hogwash, who told you ashantis are nice people? I schooled in Kumasi as well and these people will be quick for you to know that they are better than you once you are not one of them. I feel very bad about the way they treat our northern brothers. ITS SAD. Since Mahama took over the presidency their stupid ranting is up high.
Ghana 10 years ago
kotoua selira is only trying to play to the gallery. How do you say ashanti's are nice people? Majority of them see northerners as stupid without even talking to that person.
I schooled there too and I know them very well.
... read full comment
kotoua selira is only trying to play to the gallery. How do you say ashanti's are nice people? Majority of them see northerners as stupid without even talking to that person.
I schooled there too and I know them very well.
And I'm always baffled with their arogance because, I don't understand the reason why an ashanti should be so full of himself.
Your children are on the street shining shoe's and sisters are all over the world raising their legs for any man who has some coins in his pocket and wherever they are pregnant they bring all those bastards to the ashanti region.
Yet these bastards have the nerves to insult anybody from the north with impunity.
I use to tell them you are all bastards
Ghana 10 years ago
Sorry, your inferiority complex is showing all over. Is carrying toilet on your head as your people do better than shoe shinning? Your people do all the menial and dirty jobs in Ghana and they are called Kayayeis and kayakaya ... read full comment
Sorry, your inferiority complex is showing all over. Is carrying toilet on your head as your people do better than shoe shinning? Your people do all the menial and dirty jobs in Ghana and they are called Kayayeis and kayakayas so don't even talk about the jobs Ashantis do.
Go to Plaza hotel in Dichemso near Moshie Zongo and most of the prostitutes you will meet there are Northerners and Krobos.
You smelly fool, no Ashanti woman will even accept your money for a quickie the way you smell like toilet.
Ghana 10 years ago
If a bastard is not inferior, I the normal being will be inferior?
I agree we carry shit but you eat the shit till date.
Don't worry, very soon a chinese is going to be the ashanti chief at the manshia palace since your sis ... read full comment
If a bastard is not inferior, I the normal being will be inferior?
I agree we carry shit but you eat the shit till date.
Don't worry, very soon a chinese is going to be the ashanti chief at the manshia palace since your sisters have slept with anybody with coins in his pocket including these chinese who have devastated the lands in Ghana doing galamsey.
That's when you'll understand we are not the same. Bastard.
These dark short ugly bastard Lilliputs.
Kofi Klutse 10 years ago
Don't comment on experiences you've never had b4! I wz in Kumasi, on Tech campus, a place meant to be an ideal human society yet, tribalism is rooted over there with Northerners and Ewes at the receiving end! The issues of A ... read full comment
Don't comment on experiences you've never had b4! I wz in Kumasi, on Tech campus, a place meant to be an ideal human society yet, tribalism is rooted over there with Northerners and Ewes at the receiving end! The issues of Akans perceiving other tribes as lower than them is real; but a big bullshit though! Other tribes in Ghana: Northerners, Ewes, Gas, Krobos, etc consider themselves equal; only akans, especially ashantis think they are superior to others! Lets deal with it! Its nonsense!
Aj-usa 10 years ago
Dude,u guys the main problem the country is having.always pointing fingers to some contain tribe as if they are the one not allowing them to see the light.stop brining in names calling.if you're a Christian the Bible says u ... read full comment
Dude,u guys the main problem the country is having.always pointing fingers to some contain tribe as if they are the one not allowing them to see the light.stop brining in names calling.if you're a Christian the Bible says u can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthened u.and stop blaming the Asantes for no reason.
Fiifi Bankston 10 years ago
Listen to this trokosi son of an incestuous bitch crying about discrimination. Nobody can even live in your hellish Volta region because of your criminal and tribalistic ways and you idiot is crying about being discriminated ... read full comment
Listen to this trokosi son of an incestuous bitch crying about discrimination. Nobody can even live in your hellish Volta region because of your criminal and tribalistic ways and you idiot is crying about being discriminated against.
Me 10 years ago
This are the types of stereotypes and comments that continue to divide the country. Klutse was talking from experience as a student who had a first hand experience at Tech, whether true or false. That you can dispute.
Your ... read full comment
This are the types of stereotypes and comments that continue to divide the country. Klutse was talking from experience as a student who had a first hand experience at Tech, whether true or false. That you can dispute.
Your response however is clear that you may not even be able to locate the region on the map yet launched attacks that are purely based on hear say and prejudice. I doubt if you had ever been to anywhere near the VR as many of your Ewe hating compatriots on the forum.
You need to understand that there wasnt much economic activity in the VR those days like most other areas of the country. If say Ho or any other VR town had an economic vibrant activity like Accra or Kumasi I believed many will troop there. Even as we were been killed in Nigeria many continue to go there. Its all about survival, it has nothing to do with welcoming nature or the friendliness of the ppl.
Secondly there are many non Ewes in the VR, talk to Ga/Adangmes, Akwamus and Krobos who had lived side by side with Ewes for years. Its them that can tell the rest of Ghanaians how the VR is instead of hear say and the biggest of all Prejudice and hatred.
Me 10 years ago
Just as Ashantis will want us to know that not all Akans are Ashantis it is the same where some of you also realize that not All Voltarians are Anlos nor even Ewes.
What goes on in certain parts of Southern Volta such as A ... read full comment
Just as Ashantis will want us to know that not all Akans are Ashantis it is the same where some of you also realize that not All Voltarians are Anlos nor even Ewes.
What goes on in certain parts of Southern Volta such as Anloga or Keta is totally different from what you will see in say Kpando, Krachi, Kadjebi or Peki. Anger only brings out the worse in ppl.
Brother 10 years ago
My brother, fiifi is acting naive and am sorry to use these words. We don't want to kn anything about our people. I bet he does not even know what Kumawu or Kumasi means let alone Anloga nor Krachi.
Dont get excited about hi ... read full comment
My brother, fiifi is acting naive and am sorry to use these words. We don't want to kn anything about our people. I bet he does not even know what Kumawu or Kumasi means let alone Anloga nor Krachi.
Dont get excited about his naivety. Vincent has written a good piece and even those complaining may have done it to others without knowing.
Brother 10 years ago
Fiifi Bankston dear, have you ever tried to live in the volta region to really know for yourself whether it is hellish? What kind of ignorance is this? You think we are joking here. Lets face it. Like somebody wrote, people f ... read full comment
Fiifi Bankston dear, have you ever tried to live in the volta region to really know for yourself whether it is hellish? What kind of ignorance is this? You think we are joking here. Lets face it. Like somebody wrote, people from northern region, upper east and west may also have some wrong perceptions about asantis especially. lets talk about them. ok.
Serebour Maa Jane 10 years ago
My heart aches anytime this thing is said to me.I have heard it countless times but truly it always means positive in the negative terms.This I believe will not change anything since it is a perception long held from infancy ... read full comment
My heart aches anytime this thing is said to me.I have heard it countless times but truly it always means positive in the negative terms.This I believe will not change anything since it is a perception long held from infancy through Basic, secondary to tertiary. The professors are all in this basket.
Serebour Maa Jan 10 years ago
Good articulation.If you read and Hailie Selassie's speech which was popularized by Bob Marley in a song entitled "War" you will realize there is a long way for blacks to go after years of those statements we still poke each ... read full comment
Good articulation.If you read and Hailie Selassie's speech which was popularized by Bob Marley in a song entitled "War" you will realize there is a long way for blacks to go after years of those statements we still poke each other.
Wubugu 10 years ago
It's interesting to hear someone from the from the north of the country complaining about this attitude. Funny enough this is what I and my siblings suffered at the hands of your people when we schooled at Bawku Saabo Zongo p ... read full comment
It's interesting to hear someone from the from the north of the country complaining about this attitude. Funny enough this is what I and my siblings suffered at the hands of your people when we schooled at Bawku Saabo Zongo primary and Mongnori all in Bawku in Upper East.
Years after, I was posted to undertake my graduate national service at Vitting Sec Technical, Tamale and the situation was not different. The northerners equates the Akans to bonga- a donkey. They call Akans kan-bonga. Tried As I did nobody will explain what kan-bonga means.
Northerners consider Akans as filty people who eats all sorts of dead animals and are heathen and uncircumcised. These and many more were the things thrown at us during our three and half years at Bawku and two and half years at Tamale.
The only way forward is better education that enlightens rather than the individuals taking to the websites and denigrate others. It is divisive and retroggresive for national development.
CHE ANDREW 10 years ago
Tried as you did no one could explain the meaning of Kang-bonga to you so you wrongly conclude that the term means "foolish donkey) If for 5.5 years you have lived in northern Ghana you will realize that the term is Kanbonga ... read full comment
Tried as you did no one could explain the meaning of Kang-bonga to you so you wrongly conclude that the term means "foolish donkey) If for 5.5 years you have lived in northern Ghana you will realize that the term is Kanbonga (singular) Kanbonsi (plural) for all people of southern Ghana. Kang is never "foolish" in any of the over 57 ethnic groups and varied languages among the people of northern Ghana. Bonga is a donkey but when the suffix is added to several other prefixes it ceases to mean donkey. So you see we often rely on our own prejudices to interpret words, behavior and attitudes positively or negatively. The terms Pepeni, Ntafour, Sireni etc are used to classify all people from northern Ghana although they have their respective ethnic names like Dagomba, Dagaaba, Kussaasi, etc. An Nchumburu from Kpandai, would not understand a single sentence of Dagaare yet both of them are called Pepefuo. Similarly an Ewe may not be able to understand a single Akan sentence but the northern people classify all of them as Kanbonsi. It is not the name that is the problem but the attitude in the use of the term. Will the people of Bawku refer to you as Kang-bonga in a way that degrades you and make you feel not welcome among them? Then it is a bad thing. Will they refer to you as Kang-bonga when you repeatedly tell them that you are an Asante and they you call you that? Many more questions than can be presented here.
U-Turn 10 years ago
I will tell you that in certain Northern communities the "Kanbonga" is a dignified word. Amongst the Nanumbas and the Dagombas, for instance, the "Kanbonsi" are the warriors, the gunners, the musketeers. They the military gen ... read full comment
I will tell you that in certain Northern communities the "Kanbonga" is a dignified word. Amongst the Nanumbas and the Dagombas, for instance, the "Kanbonsi" are the warriors, the gunners, the musketeers. They the military generals for the "Nanima" the chiefs. Whereas everybody else must sit on the ground in the presence of the Ya-Naa or Bimbilla-Naa, for example, only a "Kanbonga" may sit on a chair.
"Kanbonga" as used in the North is not derogatory.
K. Sarpong, Selden. New York. 10 years ago
I want to correct something this man Wubugu said quoting from what some Northerners supposedly said to him, "Akans as filty people....and uncircumcised". Akans are definetely not filthy and most of us are circumcised.We dont ... read full comment
I want to correct something this man Wubugu said quoting from what some Northerners supposedly said to him, "Akans as filty people....and uncircumcised". Akans are definetely not filthy and most of us are circumcised.We dont circumcise our women as some do in the North.Please refrain from false information. It serves no purpose.
GEORGE PEACE 10 years ago
IF WE ALL SEE THINGS THIS WAY GHANA WILL BE GUD BUT SOME OF OUR PPLE SHY AWAY WEN DEY CALL DEM NORTHERNERS GOD BLESS U
IF WE ALL SEE THINGS THIS WAY GHANA WILL BE GUD BUT SOME OF OUR PPLE SHY AWAY WEN DEY CALL DEM NORTHERNERS GOD BLESS U
Good Citizen 10 years ago
George,pls help me is there a tribe in northen Ghana called Northerners? if no then no one is shying away, we have tribes like Dagombas,Mamprusis,Dagaabas, etc just as we have Asantes,Fantes,Gas etc in the south
George,pls help me is there a tribe in northen Ghana called Northerners? if no then no one is shying away, we have tribes like Dagombas,Mamprusis,Dagaabas, etc just as we have Asantes,Fantes,Gas etc in the south
GEORGE PEACE 10 years ago
GEORGE PEACE
GEORGE PEACE
James B. Otafregya 10 years ago
Mr Nuru,
Sorry for what you have gone through, but I must tell you that it is the same every where.
I remember some classmate from Sekondi College telling me "James, you don't look em.. behave like a Kowu."
First I c ... read full comment
Mr Nuru,
Sorry for what you have gone through, but I must tell you that it is the same every where.
I remember some classmate from Sekondi College telling me "James, you don't look em.. behave like a Kowu."
First I corrected him the area is not 'Kowu' but 'Kwawu' and then asked him why?
His only answer was that he had heard (he had not seen!) Kwawus are unfrienldy and jewish and won't even use their money to buy Fanta or Coca-Cola, not even iced-water but always drink normal luke-warm water, and that if a fly drowned in Kwawu mans glass of beer, he would remove the fly, suck the beer ouf ot the insect and continue drink the rest. However after observing me for three years, he noticed that I spent much more any any person in our class.
As for normal teasing (on Kwawu accent on Twi) they were uncountable.
Similary Ashantis would tell Kwawus that the later do "potor" ie does not speak Asante-Twi as if the Kwawu MUST speak Asante!
It is the same everwhere, so relax.
Charles Kumi 10 years ago
Preach on brother, you have said it all. I dare say that we need a review of our educational system. We need strong civic education with content which will help us improve on our general well being as a people and as a countr ... read full comment
Preach on brother, you have said it all. I dare say that we need a review of our educational system. We need strong civic education with content which will help us improve on our general well being as a people and as a country.I am delighted to read your article. I hope you will be moved to start something to deal with the many evils that affect our country. I know there are good people out there who want to help deal with these issues. God Bless you.
Kwabena 10 years ago
Our own leaders, MP's make disparaging tribalistic remarks and get away with it! So how can we expect the followers to be better?
Our own leaders, MP's make disparaging tribalistic remarks and get away with it! So how can we expect the followers to be better?
Kobena 10 years ago
Kashaa,
This is an excellent piece.
In an American university in the 1970s, a graduate student asked me where I had come from. When I told him "Ghana," his first question was, " I visted Nairobi last year, I met John Ogur ... read full comment
Kashaa,
This is an excellent piece.
In an American university in the 1970s, a graduate student asked me where I had come from. When I told him "Ghana," his first question was, " I visted Nairobi last year, I met John Ogurum who was very nice to me do you know him?"
Believe it or not, having travelled in every region and possibly every district in Ghana, and having lived for several years in at least five regions of Ghana, I have been asked questions that are very close in dumbness to the one I was asked in America!
Yes, the problem is our education system. Until I studied geology, I knew more about the geography of Canada and the US than Ghana. Then there is the study of civics that was rudely curtailed in the 1970s.
All the strident partisan nonsense that is going on in our dear country is due to the fact that 90% of us, including people educated to post-graduate level, do not know what it means to be a citizen of a country! And that is a serious indictment of a "miseducation" system!
nacha 10 years ago
vince, well done.it is still going on.only recently even in the uk even among children this comment was made to my son when he went for his induction day into a secondary school.we come from wa, but live and work in the uk.m ... read full comment
vince, well done.it is still going on.only recently even in the uk even among children this comment was made to my son when he went for his induction day into a secondary school.we come from wa, but live and work in the uk.my son is eleven now and has visited wa already seven times.he knows where he comes from and always introduces himself as such.we have never talked about the north-south issue so he was amazed but confused when this was raised by a senior student he met at the school.on his return I was surprised the comment he heard was the one he wanted to discurse most.so even among eleven year olds in far far away lands this is what parents are giving to their kids.are we any grown from my days I don't think so but hope it is the last time my son comes home to question me on this.
Kwabena 10 years ago
Well said, well written! Vincent, you said it all very well. I am an Ashanti and I am always appalled about how ghanaians get angry about racisim, yet do not see tribalism in the same light! I have also travelled all over ... read full comment
Well said, well written! Vincent, you said it all very well. I am an Ashanti and I am always appalled about how ghanaians get angry about racisim, yet do not see tribalism in the same light! I have also travelled all over Ghana and I love each and every part of it. I find the north particularly beautiful and pray that oneday it will be as prosperous as the south - we are looking to you Mahama! Amen, do not stop writing about this subject, discussing it, pushing it forward! If we don't who will? God Bless You!
De wise 10 years ago
You are inteligent keep it up.
You are inteligent keep it up.
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Sounds very familiar, reminds me of my sixth form days in Oboasi Sec Tech. Certainly at Korle-Bu, having become a vanguard for my colleagues and patients / people of Northern decent alike who visited the hospital and proud to ... read full comment
Sounds very familiar, reminds me of my sixth form days in Oboasi Sec Tech. Certainly at Korle-Bu, having become a vanguard for my colleagues and patients / people of Northern decent alike who visited the hospital and proud to SPEAK a number of "Northern" dialects (as well as the numerous "Southern dialects I was fluent in) before my colleagues and superiors, I noticed a healthy respect. Not only that, everyone knew they couldn't get away with such stereotypes and the utter tribal/ethnic nonsense before me EVEN IF they were professors and consultants. Trust me, it works when you know who you are, what you are about and what you are worth.
But you are right, passing on from parents to children, over the generations we continue to experience the same stereotypes. This is typified by many of the characterisations and some of the blatant comments, name-callings etc. That we read and see on this very forum - ghanaweb.
When you try to challenge it or defend those they attack, some ignorant idiots accuse you of doing it "because you are a fellow northerner" or belonging to the same "party" when indeed some of us DO NOT EVEN BELONG TO ANY OF THE PARTIES and defend purely on the principle that all men are born equal and if two things are the same, then they must be equal and therefore be treated and regarded equally.
Indeed, let's confront it rather than burying our head in the sand!!!
Kwame Kumi 10 years ago
I'm not sure there are many 'Southerners' out there who will disagree with all that you've said. But perhaps you could have demonstrated a little bit of fairness by also admitting that whenever the opportunity arises, many ' ... read full comment
I'm not sure there are many 'Southerners' out there who will disagree with all that you've said. But perhaps you could have demonstrated a little bit of fairness by also admitting that whenever the opportunity arises, many 'Northerners' discriminate against and see all 'Southerners' especially Akan-speaking, as cheats, fraudsters and arrogant. You would have done better by highlighting the MUTUAL distrust among Ghanaians from both ends of the geographical divide. I also know many Southerners who live(d) in the northern regions who have their own terrible stories of being discriminated at to tell.
Kwame Kumi 10 years ago
Just in case you needed any proof of what I've said above, check through the comments of most of the Northerners on this article.
Just in case you needed any proof of what I've said above, check through the comments of most of the Northerners on this article.
Brother 10 years ago
Well said brother. This is what we call education. I believe most northern people who have not met other southern people wrongly assume that every southern person speaks twi.
Well said brother. This is what we call education. I believe most northern people who have not met other southern people wrongly assume that every southern person speaks twi.
James 10 years ago
Excellent piece. This is the agony of mother Ghana. Ignorance of her citizens.
Some of the National events should be moved to Northern Ghana to enable our Southern brethren get to acquaint themselves with the realities up n ... read full comment
Excellent piece. This is the agony of mother Ghana. Ignorance of her citizens.
Some of the National events should be moved to Northern Ghana to enable our Southern brethren get to acquaint themselves with the realities up north.
Komla 10 years ago
Kashaa, Good article and well written.I spent four years fighting tribalism here at the forum, and tried to educate fellow forumers about the dangers of tribalism,believing tribalism is a big problem in Ghana based on what I ... read full comment
Kashaa, Good article and well written.I spent four years fighting tribalism here at the forum, and tried to educate fellow forumers about the dangers of tribalism,believing tribalism is a big problem in Ghana based on what I read here at the forum. However, I went to Ghana this year and conducted a research on the subject and to my amazement; there was very little evidence of tribalism.People from devise tribal backgrounds gets along just fine with common aspirations, hopes and dreams. For a example, when you go to the market or stop by the road side to buy something, the seller does not ask for a tribal identity before selling the item you want to buy. Therefore,it is my opioion that the tribalism is an issue just here at the forum. People hide behind their computers and write derogatory tribal sterotype articles to make us believe tribalism is a big issue when in fact it is not that of a big deal on the ground back home. However,it should be acknoweldged that we all have an element of tribalistic sentiment in us which is natural.
Some of the issues you raised are not necessarily as a result of tribalism but rather ignorance. I am Ewe from the Mid-Volta Region; however, I grew up in Tamale, and had my elementry and secondray school there. And I enjoyed my time there and love the North and Northerners so very dearly till this day.However, prior to going to the north,I held some of the stereotype views you raised in your article about the north and northerners not because of tribalism, but because of ignorance and mis-information.
liv 10 years ago
Americans say that a lot. It's the same everywhere. It's not racist/discrimination to them it's the way you look and act.
Americans say that a lot. It's the same everywhere. It's not racist/discrimination to them it's the way you look and act.
I. BOATENG 10 years ago
This is a really thought-provoking piece. Kudos!
This is a really thought-provoking piece. Kudos!
Akora Oteng 10 years ago
You know, all the free education , and affirmative laws ,was aimed to bring northerners up to the Southerners level. I think if highly educated northerners begin to demand that every high position in Ghana should be given to ... read full comment
You know, all the free education , and affirmative laws ,was aimed to bring northerners up to the Southerners level. I think if highly educated northerners begin to demand that every high position in Ghana should be given to them by force, or else, they are going to be negative ,then they are mistaken. This is what we are seing in the bodypolitic. Many new journalists and lawyers are of northern origin. This is a psychological because,they are running away from their region and the opportunities that abounds on the grounds there to easily become a farmer and coming to chase a non-existing office jobs, therby rubbing shoulders with the southerners who are much experienced. We the southerners are fighting for DECENTRALISATION and what that means is that the national cake should be devided among the regions so that they do their own developments. So northerners have to know that our fathers farmed and continue to farm and produce cocoa which is taxed, the only agricultural product, in order that the free education which the Europeans,denied them can be realised. Ghana is still a young country and still has to develope. If the northerners all come south and do not want to produce so that their produce will also earn money for development, then why are they blaming the southerners. All this inferiority complex, is nonsense and self-distructive if that is all what the elites of northeners can offer Ghana. Too bad an article. Nuhu ,come up again.
maame 10 years ago
this issue is really prevalent among the ashanti's. i lived with ashantis for about 3 yrs now and the way they talk about the northeners is bad
this issue is really prevalent among the ashanti's. i lived with ashantis for about 3 yrs now and the way they talk about the northeners is bad
Brother 10 years ago
Asantis only talk bad. other tribes do bad
Asantis only talk bad. other tribes do bad
Charles Ntow 10 years ago
Thank you brother for a very well written article. "Ignorance" is contageous and can be a very dangerous disease. When will we all be ONE?
Thank you brother for a very well written article. "Ignorance" is contageous and can be a very dangerous disease. When will we all be ONE?
Asorbonkyi 10 years ago
I support you 100 percent. Good work.
I support you 100 percent. Good work.
hawa 10 years ago
Kabonga means a moshie man with a gun, and most ashantis are originally from moshie origins. Kabonga is a moshie word.
Kabonga means a moshie man with a gun, and most ashantis are originally from moshie origins. Kabonga is a moshie word.
Desdecker. 10 years ago
How does a Northerner look, it hurts when an ignorant person says that to you. And when you react to such an insulting statement, they say you are violent.
How does a Northerner look, it hurts when an ignorant person says that to you. And when you react to such an insulting statement, they say you are violent.
lamisi 10 years ago
yes bro, i got my share with a gay who claims to love me. highly educated but cant even distinguish the three northern region.
yes bro, i got my share with a gay who claims to love me. highly educated but cant even distinguish the three northern region.
northern name 9 years ago
Man u did a great job here. I have suffered a lot leaving in Tema with my whole life. I girl I met told me that she would never marry a man with a northern name? ..... a lot more ....
Man u did a great job here. I have suffered a lot leaving in Tema with my whole life. I girl I met told me that she would never marry a man with a northern name? ..... a lot more ....
....they are bush rats and are yet to see civilization after the SC reads out the verdict.
When they tell you don't resemble a northerner, just ask the person where s/he comes from, Bush Rats paaaaaaaaaaaa.
What is the meaning of your first sentence? Bush rats employ your smelly trokosi family as farm hands and watchmen of incompleted buildings.
Don't even talk of civilization amongst trokosis when you lack hygenic understan ...
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You are an illiterate. Where did you schooled? Do you live in a shark?
A REALLY COOL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING PIECE. WE ALL CAN LEARN FROM THIS. THANKS FOR SHARING, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, BRO NUHU.
Brother i had a similar experience growing up in Accra and to my surprise these things popped up more after mutli party democracy was introduced into the system where some ppl feel they are at war with other Ghanaians based o ...
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before we can break the circle, just learn a few stereotypess about the other tribes or southerners and throw it at them if they stereotppe you,simple harmless example,if an Ashanti,Krobo, Akyem Ga,Fanti,Bono,or any other tri ...
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Hahahaha, that's funny!
Good Citizen, I don't believe any Asante or southerner will feel offended if you call him kanbonga, because we don't even understand it. The sentiments expressed by the writer is not limited to only northerners but southerner ...
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Northerners seem to believe anything that is thrown at them even if it affects them negatively and that accounts for the low self esteem that many suffer-Agonahene. Who told you northerners have low self-esteem? You must be d ...
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Sogreh, I am not dreaming. And you may choose to deny this thing about self esteem but put pride aside, it is true. That is why many Southerners feel superior. If you read my comments carefully, you will know that my authorit ...
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na true my brother. even though i am a southner, i don't take kindly to some of these comments. In 1998, when NAFAG was organised in bolgatanga, i over heard some southners telling each other about the wrong perceptions they ...
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People like you can get all the degrees in the world or relocate to the most advanced of countries but you're no better than a shoe-shine boy in Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Illiteracy does not only mean the inability to read and co ...
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Cannot resist themselves
Sometimes people can tell you, "Oh, you don't look like a Northerner..." without meaning any harm. Being a well-travelled man, I believe the writer can quite often deduce the nationality of individuals by their looks, dressin ...
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Saka,
You may be right in your assessment but the writer actually means exactly what he wrote. There have been times when I was mistaken for a Nigerian but in those situations, it was never "Oh, you don't look like a Northe ...
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Dude,the writer got it all wrong to my opinion.I school with a lot of northerners in 80's but we were like brothers irespertive of your tribe.all this bull shit came up recently, due to some fake politians using as way to sco ...
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Did you read what you wrote? Most white people don't believe that there's racism in the USA, do you believe that too? Then again you're not smart enough to see the logic in what I asked you. Why don't you ask the northerners ...
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Malcolm X once said that you cannot be acceptable to others unless you have proven to be acceptable to yourself. The black man or African should not expect the same treatment the white man will give his fellow white man, just ...
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This is a very interesting article though I must confess that, I never experienced or observed this north-south divide at boarding schools in Ghana. In fact, race or ethnicity was not an issue in any of the two secondary scho ...
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Kofi, by their very nature, St Augustine's and St. Peters (which you attended; and one of my own brothers was at St Augustine's for sixth form too) are the least likely places to find such stereotyping because of the nature o ...
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why are all disagree with the writer respond as if they have not read the article,the writer is saying more often than not it is when he exhibits positive attribute that people are surprise that he is a Northern,so please do ...
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I went to Legon with one Kofi Ata in the early 80's. I have been reading your articles which I find well researched and thoughtful.Are you the same guy who resided at Commonwealth Hall and read law?
Great writing ... except for that one word: complement. Should have been compliment.
Great article.
Well said, I had faced countless situations like Nuhu enumerated. I always felt sad why our own brothers and sisters have very little knowledge about northerners. The other question they will always ask is; are you a Ghanaian ...
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In Germany, starting from Class 2 ie Prinmary 2, pupils do make excursions to all parts of the country and also in other European countries, so that by the time they finish Class 13, they have already travelled wide.
This ...
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Kwasia Kola at his usual stupid self doing spell check. Fool like him with his atrocious grammar.
Nuhu, brilliant piece. And as Southerner with a Muslim name, i have equally endured this lunacy from my southern people. And i sometimes want to shake this lunacy out of them. My own Akan brother would want to find out my nam ...
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Hahahaha, that's a great one
".... this stupid answer comes from very educated people who sometimes have Phd".
Aren't you being stupid as well? Are all PhD studies in Culture and Society?
How is someone with a PhD in Molecular Biology or Electroch ...
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hahahaaaa, Me4U didnt get the arguement by IB. I will not be surprised if you are in this category IB was referring to. The thrust of IB's arguement is that, any educated Ghanaian should not ask such daft question much more a ...
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PhD education is not training specialized nerds. Fact is: in addition to their area of specialization, PhD holders MUST be broad in knowledge ie have some level knowledge of their environment, geographical, history etc.
...
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If you have enough brains to acquire PhD in Molecular Biology but become so stupid as to determine the ethnic origins of a Ghanian by mere physical features or what s/he does, then that PhD is very useless indeed. Education s ...
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IB, I have suffered the same shameful stupidity as many commentators are sharing. Stereotyping is the root of ethnocentrism and tribalism. The shame is that people you will think should know better are the worst offenders. So ...
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Nuhu don't worry. With time this kind of ethnocentrism will disappear. Its taking a little bit of time for blacks to be recognized by white people in America. Its a battle for minorities around the world because the majority ...
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One Ghana, no division.
You people should read well. Nuhu did not write the piece, OK. Faulty observations left and right!!
I can feel your pain Nuhu when other tribes see all twi speaking people as Asantes and every bad thing done by Akan is Blamed on Asantes.
Thank u dude,u have said it all.any bull shit any Akan tribe does goes to the Asantes.most Ghanaians don't even know the differences in the Akans tribes.
I am sure that word is used by Akans to describe people from the north.
Nuhu, I am from Sunyani and I am familiar with Ridge Experimental School. It is one of the finest preparatory schools in the country. Coach Kwesi Appiah is a graduate of that school. Sunyani is also one of the most welcom ...
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These schools do not tease on tribal lines . This is not true
Kwadwo, it seems you did not read his piece. He said a teacher, a class two teacher not only students. Ok. Read it once more
He could of said it better. All what he said happened to many a person. I have a long time enemity with someone who complained seriously about racism in Germany and other parts of EU, and how stupid the white man was in think ...
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But that's the truth, plus you don't need such a person as a friend, Ghanaian or not
I enjoy the fun some ethnic groups play on one another. The Dagombas vrs the Moshies; Gonja-Kanjagas-Sisaala-Kasinas; Dagaaba vrs Frafras (Grunni people). There are occasions long time friend from different ethnic origins pok ...
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If those of us who went to school in Sakasaka, refuse to settle in Accra ..we have adopted the western style..having big parties with all glamour ..could open up businesses in our town and be frequenting there like Bugri-Na ...
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We dont have any better Ghanaian.Whoever think he or she is better should go and live in the sea.
I have had to deal with such questions for a long time. but as for me I just laugh it off.
I have come to the conclusion that most southerners are ignorant and full of bullshit but there are still a good percentage (of about 25%)who are well versed in their geography and treat everyone from Ghana with the same resp ...
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You don't look like a Northerner:) How do northerners look.silly people
I was born in Kumasi,grew up among Ashantis.I can bet that ashantis are the nicest people you can find in Ghana.I have millions of classmates,friends,relatives and girl friends who are ashantis. We live together in happiness: ...
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This article is in quotation and written by vincent Kuuire. Anyway, it is a very educative piece.Thanks.
This is hogwash, who told you ashantis are nice people? I schooled in Kumasi as well and these people will be quick for you to know that they are better than you once you are not one of them. I feel very bad about the way the ...
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kotoua selira is only trying to play to the gallery. How do you say ashanti's are nice people? Majority of them see northerners as stupid without even talking to that person.
I schooled there too and I know them very well.
...
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Sorry, your inferiority complex is showing all over. Is carrying toilet on your head as your people do better than shoe shinning? Your people do all the menial and dirty jobs in Ghana and they are called Kayayeis and kayakaya ...
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If a bastard is not inferior, I the normal being will be inferior?
I agree we carry shit but you eat the shit till date.
Don't worry, very soon a chinese is going to be the ashanti chief at the manshia palace since your sis ...
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Don't comment on experiences you've never had b4! I wz in Kumasi, on Tech campus, a place meant to be an ideal human society yet, tribalism is rooted over there with Northerners and Ewes at the receiving end! The issues of A ...
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Dude,u guys the main problem the country is having.always pointing fingers to some contain tribe as if they are the one not allowing them to see the light.stop brining in names calling.if you're a Christian the Bible says u ...
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Listen to this trokosi son of an incestuous bitch crying about discrimination. Nobody can even live in your hellish Volta region because of your criminal and tribalistic ways and you idiot is crying about being discriminated ...
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This are the types of stereotypes and comments that continue to divide the country. Klutse was talking from experience as a student who had a first hand experience at Tech, whether true or false. That you can dispute.
Your ...
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Just as Ashantis will want us to know that not all Akans are Ashantis it is the same where some of you also realize that not All Voltarians are Anlos nor even Ewes.
What goes on in certain parts of Southern Volta such as A ...
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My brother, fiifi is acting naive and am sorry to use these words. We don't want to kn anything about our people. I bet he does not even know what Kumawu or Kumasi means let alone Anloga nor Krachi.
Dont get excited about hi ...
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Fiifi Bankston dear, have you ever tried to live in the volta region to really know for yourself whether it is hellish? What kind of ignorance is this? You think we are joking here. Lets face it. Like somebody wrote, people f ...
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My heart aches anytime this thing is said to me.I have heard it countless times but truly it always means positive in the negative terms.This I believe will not change anything since it is a perception long held from infancy ...
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Good articulation.If you read and Hailie Selassie's speech which was popularized by Bob Marley in a song entitled "War" you will realize there is a long way for blacks to go after years of those statements we still poke each ...
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It's interesting to hear someone from the from the north of the country complaining about this attitude. Funny enough this is what I and my siblings suffered at the hands of your people when we schooled at Bawku Saabo Zongo p ...
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Tried as you did no one could explain the meaning of Kang-bonga to you so you wrongly conclude that the term means "foolish donkey) If for 5.5 years you have lived in northern Ghana you will realize that the term is Kanbonga ...
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I will tell you that in certain Northern communities the "Kanbonga" is a dignified word. Amongst the Nanumbas and the Dagombas, for instance, the "Kanbonsi" are the warriors, the gunners, the musketeers. They the military gen ...
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I want to correct something this man Wubugu said quoting from what some Northerners supposedly said to him, "Akans as filty people....and uncircumcised". Akans are definetely not filthy and most of us are circumcised.We dont ...
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IF WE ALL SEE THINGS THIS WAY GHANA WILL BE GUD BUT SOME OF OUR PPLE SHY AWAY WEN DEY CALL DEM NORTHERNERS GOD BLESS U
George,pls help me is there a tribe in northen Ghana called Northerners? if no then no one is shying away, we have tribes like Dagombas,Mamprusis,Dagaabas, etc just as we have Asantes,Fantes,Gas etc in the south
GEORGE PEACE
Mr Nuru,
Sorry for what you have gone through, but I must tell you that it is the same every where.
I remember some classmate from Sekondi College telling me "James, you don't look em.. behave like a Kowu."
First I c ...
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Preach on brother, you have said it all. I dare say that we need a review of our educational system. We need strong civic education with content which will help us improve on our general well being as a people and as a countr ...
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Our own leaders, MP's make disparaging tribalistic remarks and get away with it! So how can we expect the followers to be better?
Kashaa,
This is an excellent piece.
In an American university in the 1970s, a graduate student asked me where I had come from. When I told him "Ghana," his first question was, " I visted Nairobi last year, I met John Ogur ...
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vince, well done.it is still going on.only recently even in the uk even among children this comment was made to my son when he went for his induction day into a secondary school.we come from wa, but live and work in the uk.m ...
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Well said, well written! Vincent, you said it all very well. I am an Ashanti and I am always appalled about how ghanaians get angry about racisim, yet do not see tribalism in the same light! I have also travelled all over ...
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You are inteligent keep it up.
Sounds very familiar, reminds me of my sixth form days in Oboasi Sec Tech. Certainly at Korle-Bu, having become a vanguard for my colleagues and patients / people of Northern decent alike who visited the hospital and proud to ...
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I'm not sure there are many 'Southerners' out there who will disagree with all that you've said. But perhaps you could have demonstrated a little bit of fairness by also admitting that whenever the opportunity arises, many ' ...
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Just in case you needed any proof of what I've said above, check through the comments of most of the Northerners on this article.
Well said brother. This is what we call education. I believe most northern people who have not met other southern people wrongly assume that every southern person speaks twi.
Excellent piece. This is the agony of mother Ghana. Ignorance of her citizens.
Some of the National events should be moved to Northern Ghana to enable our Southern brethren get to acquaint themselves with the realities up n ...
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Kashaa, Good article and well written.I spent four years fighting tribalism here at the forum, and tried to educate fellow forumers about the dangers of tribalism,believing tribalism is a big problem in Ghana based on what I ...
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Americans say that a lot. It's the same everywhere. It's not racist/discrimination to them it's the way you look and act.
This is a really thought-provoking piece. Kudos!
You know, all the free education , and affirmative laws ,was aimed to bring northerners up to the Southerners level. I think if highly educated northerners begin to demand that every high position in Ghana should be given to ...
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this issue is really prevalent among the ashanti's. i lived with ashantis for about 3 yrs now and the way they talk about the northeners is bad
Asantis only talk bad. other tribes do bad
Thank you brother for a very well written article. "Ignorance" is contageous and can be a very dangerous disease. When will we all be ONE?
I support you 100 percent. Good work.
Kabonga means a moshie man with a gun, and most ashantis are originally from moshie origins. Kabonga is a moshie word.
How does a Northerner look, it hurts when an ignorant person says that to you. And when you react to such an insulting statement, they say you are violent.
yes bro, i got my share with a gay who claims to love me. highly educated but cant even distinguish the three northern region.
Man u did a great job here. I have suffered a lot leaving in Tema with my whole life. I girl I met told me that she would never marry a man with a northern name? ..... a lot more ....