ADVERTISEMENT

Ghana's deputy minister for Agric resigns over ethnocentric comments

The communications director at the Flagstaff House confirmed his resignation Monday evening via Facebook.

ADVERTISEMENT

Flagstaff House communications director Eugene Arhin confirmed his resignation Monday evening via Facebook.

His resignation takes immediate effect, the statement said, adding that the president wished him the very best in future engagements.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, this evening accepted the resignation from the office of the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon. William Quaitoo, MP, which takes immediate effect. The President wished him the very best in his future endeavours," he said.

In a widely reported media interview, the resigned deputy Agric minister described northerners as people who are "so difficult" to deal and also suggested they are extortionist.

Mr Quaitoo made the ethnocentric comments in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM on the armyworm invasion of some farm lands in the Northern Region.

Farmers in the northern region have been complaining about lack of assistance from the Agric minister as they battle the fall armyworm invasion.

Unfazed by their concerns, the minister launched a blistering attack on them saying: "Anybody in the north who said his farm was destroyed by armyworm would have to prove it.

ADVERTISEMENT

"You see that is how our brothers, excuse my language, it is so difficult to deal with them.

"I lived there for 27 years, I speak Dagbani like a Dagomba and all that. They are very difficult people. Nobody can substantiate. If anybody says that his farm was destroyed by army worm, the person would have to come and prove it".

"We have no records of that. It’s just a way of taking money from the government: that’s what they do all the time…”

He later apologised for his comments after he was widely criticised for his outburst.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

ADVERTISEMENT