The Krobo bloc of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded an apology from New Juaben South Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi over comments they say were divisive and ethnocentric.

The group, made up of constituency chairpersons and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, said the remarks were inappropriate and risked undermining national unity.

The demand follows comments made by the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry during an interview, where he reportedly said the Eastern Regional Minister, Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who comes from Krobo land, had no business involving herself in matters in Koforidua.

According to the group, the comments, which had since gone viral on social media, amounted to ethnocentric rhetoric that undermined the authority of the Regional Minister and threatened national cohesion.

At a press conference in Somanya, addressed by Mr John Atteh Matey, Constituency Chairman for Lower Manya Krobo and Municipal Chief Executive, the group condemned the remarks, describing them as unacceptable and dangerous to peaceful coexistence.

They warned that such statements could undermine national unity, peace and constitutional governance.

“The Eastern Region is multi-ethnic, and no group has ownership of public office or state authority,” the group stated.

They stressed that under the 1992 Constitution, Regional Ministers are appointed by the President to serve the entire region, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation or background.

The Krobo NDC cautioned that the comments could strain long-standing relations between Krobo and New Juaben communities, which they described as historically, socially and economically connected.

They also defended the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Mr Ransford Owusu Boakye, urging that public officials should not be subjected to attacks that weaken cooperation and local governance.

“Mr Baafi should immediately retract his comments and render an unqualified apology to the Eastern Regional Minister, the Krobo people, the New Juaben Traditional Council, and residents across the Eastern Region,” they said.

The group urged the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to take a clear position on the matter, warning that silence could be interpreted as endorsement.

The press conference ended with a call for restraint in political discourse and renewed appeals for unity, peace and mutual respect among communities in the Eastern Region.