Tribal Politics Threatens Krachi East Democracy – Educationist.

Dambai: Renowned writer and educationist, Mr. Francis Gesaloge Boyesah Okoro, a resident of Dambai, has expressed concerns about the debilitating effects of tribalism on Krachi East Municipality's development. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the educationist emphasized that tribalism has long been a major obstacle to progress in the area, prioritizing tribal loyalty over national interest and leading to divisions and stagnation.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Okoro's concerns come as the Municipality strives to solidify its potential as a key player in Krachi East development with rich cultural diversity poised for growth, although tribalism threatens to undermine this potential. The consequences he outlined include electoral boundaries being manipulated to favor dominant ethnic groups, which have a higher tendency to undermine fair representation. Tribal loyalty, he noted, will take precedence over the greater good and hinder development.Additionally, Mr. Okoro warned that smaller e thnic groups will be marginalized, excluded from decision-making, and denied access to resources. Dominant ethnic groups might exploit their power to intimidate and oppress smaller groups, and leaders may prioritize tribal loyalty over qualifications and expertise, compromising effective governance. Tribal politics, he further explained, could lead to resources being allocated based on ethnic affiliations rather than merit.He urged politicians to suspend tribal and religious campaign structures in both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Mr. Okoro appealed to politicians to advocate for inclusive campaigning, competency, and data-based representation, and to prioritize national interest. His concerns about tribal politics are timely given the upcoming elections, as he emphasized the need for politicians to focus on competence and national interest rather than exploiting tribal and religious differences for electoral gain.