Dear Fellow Ahantas,
I write to you to you with much love from the Volta Region, precisely Peki, along the eastern corridor stretch. I must admit and say that the best thing that has ever happened to me as a human being is the fact that I am an Ahanta. Ever since I found my value and worth as an Ahanta, I have carried the pride of Ahanta along in everything I do as a Ghanaian . As a young police officer who has been stationed here for the past 7 years, I understand the value of peace hence this my long love letter to you.

This is not the first time Ghana will be going to polls. It's rather the seventh time but we still have risen political tensions in the country any time Ghanaians are about to vote and this year seems worst. What we should know is that life is not all about politics but a blend of many other things that make life meaningful one. Throughout the world, politics has not been able to solve all human problems. In some cases, it has even aggravated the situation and made the life of the people more miserable.

In 2009, I was nearly killed during one of peace operations and again in 2008 too I remember how I was nearly killed at a polling station during the elections just because somebody wanted power at all cost. These near deaths experiences have increased my love for my motherland Ghana in general and that of Ahantaman in particular as well as the value of peace and stability. The peace and stability of Ghana and Ahantaman should be a concern for all Ahantas irrespective of political colours and designs.

The last time I was in Takoradi, I must say that I was really impressed with what I saw as an Ahanta. I saw a lot of youths deeply involved in the various political campaign electioneering processes. Agona Nkwanta and its environs were stuck with parliamentary candidates debates and that should be commended. From Esikadu to Akwidae and Cape Three Points, the political atmosphere was very charged and I was glad that my people are rising in their numbers to fill political spaces in the Western Region particular and Ghana in general. Kudos to all young ones who are routing for the victory of their respective presidential and parliamentary candidates.

Come December 7, 2016, the whole nation will go to the polls to elect president and parliamentarians and for that matter we the Ahantas cannot afford to miss out in this crucial democratic process. There is however, a little caution here and that is the protection of peace and stability of the Ghana and Ahantaland. Like I said already, life is not all about politics so we should exercise much caution in this electioneering processes and campaigns. Life must go on after the elections over and our daily activities should return to normal. We must come from this election more united as one people more than ever without a hitch. The overall interest of Ghana in general and that of Ahantaman in particular should supersede any political interest. In my candid opinion, partisan politics has failed the Ahanta people and for that matter we should seek news ways of bettering our lives with little concentration on divisive party politics which is disintegrating the Ahanta people further.

We should look around us as country and people and not to forget that not quite long in Cote D'Ivoire electoral violence erupted in the country displacing many of them. Many of them crossed the border to Ghana despite the language barrier and tried to make a living. The last time I spoke to one of them, he expressed his interest not to return to his home country amid tears because he lost everything. When a country is plunged into chaos due to personal political interests of certain individuals, it's children and women who suffer most. Even after the war is over, some of them are not ready to go back because they have lost everything with exception of their breath. I can't imagine same happening to our dear motherland Ghana and for that matter my beloved Ahantaman. It is in line with this that I call for moderacy in our political activities in the build up to December 7.

Even if we have not seen, we have heard what power struggles did to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and very recently Cote D'Ivoire. In the case of most of these countries, the very political leaders who plunged their countries into political conflicts flee their home countries to other countries as they watched their countries burn from there. The majority of youths who wake up at dawn for health walk and are involved deeply in political activities should make sure that they are not used against their fellow Ahantas and other tribes settling on our land. Very recently in Accra and Koforidua, some political parties going on just a health walk suddenly turned into violence. Guns were fired, stones were hurled at one another and bottles were broken in attempt to kill one another. This should tell us that coming events cast their shadows so this is the time Ahantas must exercise a lot of restrains to intolerance behaviours of others.

Ahantas are generally peace loving and very tolerant people and that is what is expected to be maintained during this time that a lot of intemperate languages are making waves on our airwaves. Close all your ears to political nonsense and increase the barometer of your patience levels. This is the time to choose our words carefully just as Kofi Annan once said "words soothe and words inflame". I am very confident that Ghana will sail through without a hitch but that will only happen if we demonstrate our commitment to the peace and stability of Ghana and Ahantaman.

The elections are just a forward match for all Ahanta people and we should all peacefully get along.

Yours truly,
Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III
[email protected]
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