Tongues have begun wagging in the northern part of Ghana that the NPP has set in motion machinery aimed at promising Kokombas’s a separate region of their own in the run up to the 2024 general in a bid to win their votes in that election.
This follows audio that began making the rounds on social media some weeks ago in which a lone voice is heard calling on Kokombas to rise up and agitate for a separate region.
The majority of Kokombas are believed to be pro-NDC and a significant percentage of the votes the party obtains in the northern and Oti Regions come from them.
The NPP has over the years tried to court this ethnic group away from the NDC but has failed. Intelligence operatives are pointing to the audio as the latest attempt by the NPP to woo Kokombas using the promise of the creation of a new region for them as bait for the votes.
The audio, they claim, is from the ruling party and is slyly aimed at whipping Kokomba’s sentiments for the creation of a separate region for them after which the NPP will come promising them a spate region of their own if they win the 2024 general election.
With this promise in mind, Kokombas will then vote for them to enable the party chalk victory in the election.
However, the chiefs of the Kokombas and the leadership of the Kokomba Youth Association (KOYA), has frowned on this call (as contained in the audio) and kicked against it.
Disassociating Kokombas from the audio in circulation, the National Office of the KOYA, in a disclaimer signed by its President, Jawol B. Titus and General Secretary, Nagbija Elvis Poliyeh said the views in the audio does not represent the views of Kokombas.
They also said the call for the agitation of a separate region for Kokombas is a “threat to the peace currently enjoyed in this country”.
The disclaimer, which is on the official letterhead of KOYA is dated 18th September 2021 and reads;
“It has been brought to the attention of the Kokomba Youth Association (KoYA), the tension being caused by circulating media content (audio) on social media. The content of the said audio is a threat to the peace currently enjoyed in this country.
On behalf of the chiefs and Bikpakpaam, KoYA wishes to state unequivocally that even though the audio whose creator is unknown is in Likpakpaanl, the views and opinions expressed are those of the original creator of the said audio and does not represent Nkpakpaando.
The mere use of Likpakpaanl in the said audio circulating on social media does not constitute an endorsement by the chiefs and people of Nkpapaando.
The Kokomba Youth Association, KoYA, does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, application, fitness, or completeness of the said audio content. KoYA does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or application of any opinion in the said media content.
The Kokomba Youth Association, on behalf of the chiefs and people of Nkpakpaando hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, incidental or other consequences that the original creator of the said media content, may be met with if apprehended.
Thank you and God bless us all”
The sentiments expressed in the hot audio have also alarmed the leadership of the other ethnic groups in the region. A post on the official Facebook page of the Andani ROYAL Family expressed disgust at the comments in the audio, explained to the people of Dagbon that KOYA is against it and that the sentiments are the sentiment of an individual and not their fellow brothers, Kokombas, who they are living peacefully with. The Facebook posting reads;
“Over the last few days, there has been widespread sharing of an audio recording calling for Kokombas to rise and agitate for their own region by ‘all means necessary. The content of the audio is of great concern to the large majority of peace-loving people in Dagban, Nanun, Gonjaland and Mamprugu.”
“As a result, the President of DF reached out to his counterparts in the Kokomba Youth Association (KOYA) a few days ago to find out if he knew about the audio. It was Indicated that the source of this was being sought by law enforcement agencies and KOYA and that drastic action would be taken when he was located.”
“Meanwhile, KOYA has embarked on a public engagement exercise to deter people from acts that could disturb the peace in the 5 northern regions. Law enforcement agencies have also been alerted about the audio and are carrying out their own investigations.
Indeed, the KOYA President was in touch with other Youth groups including those in Nunun to explore ways of averting tension on this issue. They would also soon take counteraction against the audio for wide circulation among Kokombas and other communities.
DF intends to stay in touch with KOYA, NAYA (Nanumba Youth Association, GOYA (Gonjaland Youth Association), Mamprugu Youth and the Peace Council on this issue.
The Peace Council and other stakeholders are also working to address the matter.
Mmabihi, let’s be guided in our utterances whilst Dagban leadership works closely with the relevant stakeholders.
Dagban and Northern Development is our priority, every effort and everybody’s energy should be used to achieve that. Taali”
Source: Daily Post