The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has demanded the withdrawal and public apology of Mr. Tekyi Ahin, Manager of Aduana Football Club, over comments it says were derogatory towards Paga and Northern Ghana.
The demand follows remarks attributed to Mr. Ahin during a radio discussion on Space FM in Sunyani, which were subsequently rebroadcast and circulated on other media platforms.
According to PAYOM, a news card published by 90Plus Sports quoted Mr. Ahin as saying: “Dede Ayew should invest his money in goat farming in Paga – football is about relationships!”
The youth group said it found the statement offensive and unacceptable, particularly because it referenced Paga in an argument over Ghanaian football legend Dede Ayew’s reported interest in the presidency of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
While acknowledging Mr. Ahin’s right to express an opinion on football administration and the GFA presidency, PAYOM said it objected to what it described as the disparaging manner in which Paga and Northern Ghana were invoked.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Wenawome Aborah Duriyem, PAYOM said Paga is a community with a rich history and is home to entrepreneurs, professionals, farmers, academics, public servants, business leaders and young people contributing to Ghana’s development.
The group argued that using “goat farming in Paga” as a reference for where Dede Ayew should invest his money reinforces what it described as an unfortunate stereotype that Northern Ghana is suited only to agriculture and livestock, while positions of influence and national leadership belong elsewhere.
PAYOM rejected that characterization, pointing to the contributions of people from Northern Ghana to Ghana’s political, academic, business, sporting, cultural and public-service history.
The statement cited former Vice President Aliu Mahama, President John Dramani Mahama and former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as examples of Northerners who have occupied some of the country’s highest political offices.
The group, however, stressed that its objection was not to goat farming or agriculture.
“PAYOM wishes to make it clear that it has nothing against goat farming. Farming is dignified work, and livestock production is an important part of Ghana’s economy,” the statement said.
It said its concern was the context in which the reference to goat farming in Paga was made.
PAYOM further highlighted Paga’s tourism, cultural and historical significance, including the Paga Crocodile Pond, Pikworo Slave Camp and the community’s role in cross-border commerce and Ghana’s relationship with Burkina Faso.
The group also expressed concern that the remarks were directed at Dede Ayew, whose family, it said, has made significant contributions to Ghanaian football.
It referenced the career of Dede Ayew’s father, Abedi Pele, describing him as one of Ghana’s most celebrated footballers, and said the Ayew family forms part of Ghana’s football heritage.
PAYOM maintained that disagreements over Dede Ayew’s suitability to lead the Ghana Football Association should be based on issues such as competence, vision, integrity, experience, relationships and stakeholder confidence rather than geography.
The group said football should unite Ghanaians across regions and urged football administrators to be mindful of public statements that could reinforce regional stereotypes or create divisions.
Consequently, PAYOM has called on Mr. Ahin to immediately withdraw the statement referring to Dede Ayew investing his money in goat farming in Paga, publicly apologise to the people of Paga, and extend the apology to the people of Northern Ghana.
The group stressed that its demand was not an attack on Aduana FC, its supporters, the people of Dormaa or the Bono people, but rather what it described as a demand for respect. PAYOM reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity and the development of Ghanaian football.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah
