Anyidoho slams Mahama over Gas choosing Kenkey and fish over Bawumia’s digitisation

Koku Anyidoho, Founder and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Atta Mills Institute (AMI), has weighed in on remarks made by former President John Dramani Mahama that have ignited controversy across Ghana.

Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly commented that Gas—referring to the people of the Greater Accra Region—are primarily concerned with traditional foods like kenkey and fish, suggesting they do not require digitalization to enhance their livelihoods.

Anyidoho on X, did not mince words in his response, highlighting the serious implications of Mahama’s statement. “JM has caused serious problems for himself via his extremely derogatory comments about Gas spending all their lives thinking of kenkey and fish,” he stated, emphasizing the insensitivity of such remarks.

He further questioned the validity of claims made by some analysts that Mahama is poised to win Greater Accra by an overwhelming 80%. “How can anyone think that such statements would resonate positively with the people?” Anyidoho challenged.

It would be recalled that while engaging with NDC supporters in the Ablekuma South Constituency during his campaign tour of the Greater Accra region, Mahama voiced his perplexity regarding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and his intention to pursue a nationwide digitization initiative. He implied that this policy may not be necessary for all Ghanaians.

He is quoted to have said Gas and Dangmes only need kenkey and fish to survive, not digitization as promoted by Dr. Bawumia.

“They will digitalize the kenkey. Does that mean you will eat digitization? But I know, by the grace of God, we will not eat digital kenkey. We eat real kenkey and fried fish,” Mahama said at a rally in Chorkor.

Mahama’s comments appear to stem from the ongoing debate surrounding digitalization in Ghana, particularly in the context of economic development. V

ice President Mahamudu Bawumia has championed digital initiatives as crucial for advancing the nation’s economy, but Mahama’s dismissal of these efforts as irrelevant to the Gas has raised eyebrows. Many believe that reducing a community’s aspirations and concerns to simplistic notions of food undermines the diverse realities of their lives.

Anyidoho’s critique touches on a broader issue within Ghanaian politics: the need for leaders to engage with citizens respectfully and meaningfully. The former president’s comments not only risk alienating voters in Greater Accra but also reflect a misunderstanding of the demographic’s evolving needs and aspirations. “To think that people are only concerned with kenkey and fish is a disservice to their intelligence and their capacity to thrive in a digital world,” Anyidoho asserted.

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