Omanhen of the Essikado traditional area, Sekondi in the Western region, Nana Kobina Nketsia has said that there has been a lot of “depression” running through the fabric of the Ghanaian society in recent times.
The controversial traditional ruler who was addressing an advocacy forum to highlight oil and gas Issues in the 2016 electoral discourse, said as far as Ghana’s elections are concerned, the mentality of the people who are equipped to vote has tremendous impact on the outcome.
“Quite recently, the very young president that we have [President John Mahama], was saying have faith in Ghana…but what do you see, there is a lot of depression in this country” he remarks passionately.
“The youth who are voting in this country are leaving by any means necessary, they are going. I have seen some and then you cry because you probably know what they are going to face” the outspoken chief laments.
Nana Nketsia suggested there might be no point in preaching hope, or faith for the Ghanaian people when its human resources desert the land.
“What happens to the country when the youth leave? It tells you that there is an escapist phenomenon an escapist mindset with dealing with the reality. If you sit back and look at it, aren’t they running from reality?” he asked.
He said although he is Ghanaian, he sometimes finds it difficult to identify with the Ghanaian people because of the somewhat backward mentality displayed by some individuals in the country.
“I look at Ghanaweb sometimes for some news but I don’t go to the comments session. Why, because I’m a Ghanaian, and I don’t want to see myself in the comments that they make. Because if that comes out of people, it displays the obscenities, and tells me about myself.
“You see, to be African is not an easy thing, you take responsibility for the failures and the successes of your fellow Africans.
“So when I see the comments, I always ask myself, am I like this, is this my reality? And it’s so obscene, so obscene” he stressed.