A stone in my heart: part one.

Whatever affects the parts that make up the whole will definitely have some impact on the whole. To rubbish this statement is tantamount to being enemy of oneself. The emergence of advanced technology has confirmed the existence of age-old problems that hinder the progress of this country. This article aims at highlighting a few of these problems that are conspicuously circulating in the media.

Anyone who reads comments made by readers on news items or articles posted on Ghanaweb will attest to the fact that vitriolic language is the order of the day. If these vituperative comments were meant for personal attack alone, somehow I would have been comfortable with it even though I totally condemn such acts of barbarism. Comments that are supposed to be constructive have moved beyond personal attacks to inter-tribal attacks which is a very dangerous ground to tread as a people. The most dominant inter-tribal tussle in the media in recent times is the one between the Asantes/Akyims and the Ewes. The manner in which these two tribes pour disgusting comments on each other is too mind-boggling to be swept under the carpet. Day in and day out series of dirty comments and articles are discharged from both sides just to denigrate each other. What is more disturbing is the fact that nobody seems to come out from either tribe to condemn this barbarous act. Meanwhile the consequences of most of these comments bordering on mistrust, hatred, hostility and disregard for human values are grave and ultimate.

Another distasteful observation made on Ghanaweb comments is the rift between the people of the south and that of the north of this country on superiority. Most unpalatable remarks from people of the south usually suggest that they want to claim superiority over their northern counterparts. These remarks mostly do not usually border on superiority alone but also on baseless allegations and derogatory comments. This usually attracts a resentful response from their colleagues from the other side resulting in hot exchanges between them. Even though some opinion leaders have noticed and condemn this act, more needs to done about it. These two major problems are creeping into the language of the youth which is not good for national cohesion. Instead of trying to resolve these problems, our politicians have rather taken advantage of them to fuel tension in the country for political gains. They often take advantage of these problems and issue statements that incite tribes against each other in order to win power. Any inter-tribal and intra-tribal conflict in the country is fueled by these politicians to their advantage to the detriment of the ordinary citizenry. Some may disagree with me on some of these issues raised but the fact that these issues exist and are threat to the peace we are enjoying is irrefutable. I must admit that only a few unscrupulous people are on the internet passing these derogatory comments to destabilize the peace of this nation. Aside the volatile nature of these actions, they have the tendency to breed corruption, nepotism and mischief among Ghanaians. They must be wary of the consequence of their actions. Whether a Dagomba or a Fante, an Ewe or an Asante, a Ga or a Mamprusi, a northerner or a southerner, etc. we are all Ghanaians and equal and should know that whatever affects one, affects us all . It is the responsibility of all to make sure that we continue to enjoy the peace that we have in this country of ours.

Nantomah Mustapha . BSc. Maths & Statistics. UCC [email protected]