Not again, Mr Deputy Minister
Sports and politics, the old adage says, are not bedfellows. Unfortunately, because of the power of sports, politicians are often tempted to ride on the back of sports to popularity.
For us in Ghana, where partisan politics has divided our ranks, sporting events have become the unifying force. It is only in sports or when a Ghanaian athlete shines on the international scene that we all forget about the colour of our politics and rally to celebrate the success.
Unfortunately, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Joseph Yammin, has decided to go along a path that could sow seeds of discord these four weeks in which the nation seeks to rally for a common cause.
This week, the deputy minister is reported to have said that the 500 fans being sponsored to Brazil 2014 will be dominated by sympathisers of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This is the most unfortunate statement to have come from someone in that position, considering its negative effects.
Due to challenges in the economy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the government, for that matter, have been heavily criticised for spending $6,000 on each of the 500 fans being sponsored to Brazil. So for Mr Yammin to openly admit that the fans will be dominated by his party’s sympathisers can only be described as unfortunate.
He was quoted as saying that NDC party activists would be given prominence in the World Cup supporters list due to their tireless efforts at helping the party to clinch power.
“I know what the NDC supporters did to bring the party to power. They have to benefit from the party they brought to power,” he was reported to have said.
in spite of the national support accorded the Black Stars, the statement by the deputy minister further demonstrates the deep seated division in our society.
Mr Yammin’s disclosure is unnecessary and a threat to national unity and cohesion.
Indeed, this is not the first time Mr Yammin has trodden this path. There have been several instances when he has given speeches heavily doused with party politics on national sports platforms.
For example, during the World Cup qualifiers in 2013, he used a similar platform to urge the Stars to win to ensure that the NDC scored higher points against its rival, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
We do not need any equalisation on the sports platform or a contest for supremacy between political rivals.
At a time when the nation is so polarised as a result of party politics, the World Cup in Brazil is considered a welcome breather, as it will afford our people the opportunity to sing from the same page and come together to cheer our Black Stars on to shine in Brazil.
Certainly, some groups of Ghanaian supporters are being sent to Brazil to support the Black Stars but in spite of their backgrounds they must endeavour to remain Ghanaian supportres and not suppoters of a particular political party.
The Daily Graphic therefore, considers Mr Yammin’s assertion very unfortunate
Yes, politics he must do (after all he came to public office on the back of party politics), but he should look beyond his party’s interest and rather work for Mother Ghana.
The Daily Graphic pleads with the deputy minister to not spoil our planned celebration of the successes of the Black Stars with the politicisation of the selection of cheer groups.
Mr Yammin, we entreat you never again to politicise the only pastime that makes all of us truly Ghanaian.
