In the wake of the supposed tribal supremacy and tribal bigotry happening in Ghana, i take you to the colonial and post colonial dichotomies of it.
The Akan group believed to have been the first people of the present day Ghana constitute over 47%. The functions amongst the Akan began to fight themselves for supremacy, others continued to migrates to other parts. Popular battles fought were the Denkyiras and Asantes, Fantse and Asantes, Fantses and Nzemas etc. The Fantse as a result of their involvement with the Brits joined forces with them to fight the Asantes (noted as one of the fearsome tribes).
The Fight For Independence
The Asantes had fought the British for their independence and had won in most of the battles until the Sagrenti war where the Asantes attempted to conquere the British and seize the Cape Coast Castle (seat of the British rule). Together with the Fantse, Mende (Sierra Leone) and Igbo military forces and the British, the Asantes were conquered along the coast.
Diplomatic Independence
The talks for Independence had since started amongst the Asantes and the British in 1935/1936.
The other Akan diplomats led by J.B Danquah had met the Fantse chiefs and other dignitaries in Saltpond to agree on the road map for the fight for independence. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who insisted on “Independence now or never”, moved ahead to convince the Asantes (who were near independence in 1936), the northern tribes and the Togoland (Ewes) to join forces to push for a joint independence. There were certain conditions to met before all parties joined in. The Asantes opted to still be recognized as it state with homage paid to it King. The Northern tribes were promised developments and education (to be inline with the southern tribes).
Post Independence Rule and Tribal Bigotry
Kwame Nkrumah focused on Free Formal Education in the North to be at pair with the south. Military power capture fueled by selfishness ignited a lot of tribal bigotry as tribesmen wanted to be in charge of government. Democratic governments played on the cards of tribalism to win favour and propagate their agenda.
Conclusion
Power struggle has always been a powered struggle with tribal bigotry playing a key role. In the Rwandan genocide, it was the majority Hutus who called the Tutsis “ cockroaches” and as such be “killed”. Naturally tribes feel supirior over other tribes these natural instincts fuel the hatred. Generally, marriages with certain tribes are frowns upon. Well! Maybe thats how it was supposed to be “stay in your lane and don’t mingle with outsiders”. Who brought us together?. Just like religion, these man-made decision breeds divisions
