World Peace Day: “Let us eschew Ethnocentrism, build peace” – Peace Council
The National Peace Council(NPC) has called on the general public to end ethnocentrism and tribalism.
What is ethnocentrism?
Ethnocentrism is a commonly used word in circles where ethnicity, inter-ethnic relations, and similar inter-group issues are of concern.
The usual definition of the term is “thinking one’s own group’s ways are superior to others” or “judging other groups as inferior to one’s own”.
This, according to the NPC shoud not be condoned in our country, Ghana and must be stopped where practiced.
At a ceremony to commemorate the World Peace Day(WPD) at the Great Hall of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), the Ashanti Regional Peace Council led by the Executive Secretary, Rev. Emmanuel Amoah Badu and other resourced persons spoke against the manner and called for an end.
The program was organized by the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, in collaboration with the National Youth Authority (NYA) for the youth and religious stakeholders to commemorating the day.
This year’s World Peace Day was celebrated on the theme” End Ethnocentrism and Build Peace”
Dignitaries presented at the ceremony were Hon. Abraham Antwi(Oforikrom MCE-Kumasi), Major Kakra Sasu-Antwi(General Officer Commanding rep-Central Command), Khalifa Abdul Rahman(rep. Regional Chief Imam).
Also, Uztas Burhamu Deen Baba(Deputy Secretary-Regional Chief Imam), Kwaku Frimpong Esq.(Legal Aid Commission), WOI Osei Mensah(Rtd)(National Security Secretariat).
Not forgotten Dr. Charcles Prempeh, Fiifi Fosu- Ankrah, and Miss Lydia Amoah.
Others were Christopher Dapaah(Local Governance Network, National Coordinator), Professor Esmeranda Manful (National Peace Council, Ashanti Region), Nana Kwadwo Sarfo ii(Kokofu Hene’s rep), Professor Osei-Wusu(Kumasi Technical University) and Sheikh Mohamed Kamil(Deputy Ashanti Regional Chief Imam).
Students from various institutions including Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (Disciplines), Islamic Senior High School etc. also participated.
The ink fraternity also presented to reporting the program.
On his part, Right Reverend Dr. Nuh Ben Abubakar highlighted on racism, developing into ethnocentrism in the world.
He said in part in his speech that, awareness should be created on it to fight for the canker anywhere necessary to burying its negative effects.
Kokofu’s Rep Nana Kwadwo Sarfo ii.
He said, God in his own wisdom loves the difference in humans, however, creating us differently and decided where each person come from, nationality, ethnicity, tribe, parentage and others.
Nana added that, no one had the choice to decide before birth where he/she wants to belongs to else….we should embrace what our maker/creater(Almighty God/Allah) has made us.
“We should be tolerant and throw away tribalism and ethnocentrism including offensive words on our brothers from different roots”, he stressed.
Hon. Abraham Antwi, the Oforikrom Municipal Chief Executive, on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Minister also said in his address delivered at the ceremony that:
“Each of us has a role to play in order to end ethnocentrism and racism”.
He elaborated that, the role each of us should play is to help bring to an end ethnocentrism and racism and create awareness in a society characterized by by discrimination, division, intolerance, disrespect to others, and hate.
Saying, the menace is a global fight and we should all be involved to fighting against it.
He commended Peace Council for such a program.
In a sideline interview with Filasconews.com, some participants expressed gratitude to Peace Council for such a wonderful and educative program.
They said they are encouraged and convinced with the speeches of the resourced persons and yearned for more frequently.
The Executive Secretary for the Regional Peace Council, Rev. Emmanuel Amoah Badu, congratulated the people especially the resourced persons, the participants, the media and the KsTU school for their platform.
He called on all to love each other and eschew Ethnocentrism and racism.
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SOURCE: Filasconews.com/2022
