Member of Parliament representing Ningo-Rampram, Sam Nartey George, has demanded an apology from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his assertion that the renowned Tetteh Quarshie originates from Mampong in the Eastern Region.
During an interview on TV3 on Sunday, March 10, 2024, George stated that Akufo-Addo’s claim is a grave mistake that cannot go unnoticed.
According to the MP, the president’s statement has offended the GaDangmes by suggesting that their esteemed figure, Tetteh Quarshie, who introduced cocoa to Ghana, belongs to the Eastern Region.
George has given Akufo-Addo a deadline of seven days to apologise for what he deems an unacceptable error.
“I think the president owes the GaDangme people an apology. For the unforgivable statement he made, Tetteh Quarshie, a proud son of GaDangme land, a son whom we birth, is not ours. I mean, that’s unforgivable—completely unforgivable.
“The president owes us an apology, and it must happen within the next seven days. Absolutely, because that is an unpardonable mistake to make. He cannot seek to rewrite history and we won’t accept that. As a proud GaDangme son, I will not accept that from the president,” he said.
The MP called on Ga traditional leaders to demand President Akufo-Addo apologise for his remarks.
“And I expect the chiefs of Ga-Adangbe to rise up and right this wrong. I’ve seen that some of them have spoken, but we want to see more action. The Ga chiefs must speak. The Ga Mantse must speak. The traditional council must speak. The regional house of chiefs must speak.”
What Akufo-Addo said:
During his address at the 67th Independence Day Anniversary on March 6, 2024, President Akufo-Addo recognized the significant contribution of the region to Ghana’s cocoa industry.
He specifically acknowledged the pivotal role played by Tetteh Quarshie, who is credited with introducing cocoa to Ghana from Equatorial Guinea.
Additionally, the president stated that Tetteh Quarshie hails from the Eastern Region.
“Indeed, Tetteh Quarshie, an indigene of Mampong Akuapem, here in the Eastern Region, brought back, in the late 19th century, the cocoa pod from Fernando Po, now Bioko, in Equatorial Guinea, an act that led him and others to establish our nation’s first commercial cocoa farms here in the Eastern Region,” the president said in his speech.
Following the president’s remarks, the GaDangme Council, an organisation representing the interests of the GaDangme people, refuted his assertion regarding the origins of Tetteh Quarshie, the renowned figure in Ghana’s cocoa industry.
In a statement issued by its president, Ayikoi Otoo, the council denounced President Akufo-Addo’s claim, stating it as erroneous and misleading.
According to the council, Tetteh Quarshie was actually born and raised in Osu, a community situated in the Greater Accra Region.
The statement further provided background information on Tetteh Quarshie, highlighting his historical significance in Ghana and referencing documented records that support his connection to Osu.