[Video]No ethnic group should be stereotyped in Ghana – Ursula Owusu

Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has said no ethnic group should be stereotyped and stigmatized in Ghana.

She said on the floor of parliament that all ethnic groups play important roles in the country hence must all be respected.

The Communications Minister’s comment follow the uproar over the controversial textbooks that disparage Ewes in the country.

“Mr Speaker stereotyping of ethnic groups even in just must stop. Others call Akans as thieves and sakawa  and Ewes don’t call and Ewes don’t all love juju and Northern aren’t whatever it is . I have first cousins from Agbozome and I identify with them all. One of my favorite places to spend time in this country is Leklebi and I think that the Volta region has some of the most beautiful places in this country.

“No ethnic group in Ghana should be unfairly stereotyped or stigmatised. Our text books must accurately depict our culture as it is being used to educate and not to corrupt our impressionable youth.

“Our textbooks must be used to train them and expose the beautiful diversity of our country  to every child so that  we appreciate what makes us uniquely Ghanaian.”

Meanwhile, publishers of the controversial ‘History of Ghana’ textbooks have assured all and sundry that those responsible for the untimely release of the study materials onto the market will be brought to book.

Badu Nkansah Publication Limited says it is investigating how the “few” copies of the textbooks, which have not been approved yet, found their way onto the market.

“…and we will make the results of our investigations public when we are done,” the publishing firm said in a statement on Monday, March 15.

Having been in the industry for over 20 years, Badu Nkansah Publications Limited said the National Council on Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) raised concerns about portions of the new textbooks when they submitted them for approval.

It explained in the statement that though NaCCA expressed satisfaction with most of the technical and content requirement, it called for certain aspects of the books to be worked on “in order for it to meet the expectations of the new curriculum”.

“Unfortunately, while undergoing the review, a limited quantity of the unpublished draft found its way into the market.

“We have seen certain snapshots on social media which has generated justified public uproar due to its offensive tone.

“Though it is not a deliberate attempt to berate such a huge section of our society, we wish to unreservedly apologise for the slip. Our brand stands for national unity and we currently employ workers who originate from all parts of the country.”

The new textbooks have portions portraying Ewes, Ashantis and other ethnic groups in bad light.

By Laud Nartey|editors.3news.com|Ghana