Mahama warns against weaponising identity to fuel exclusion and conflict
President John Dramani Mahama has warned against the weaponisation of national, ethnic and cultural identity, saying a sense of belonging can become a source of conflict when used to exclude people considered different.
Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama cautioned against the exploitation of national, ethnic and cultural identities to incite exclusion and strife, addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Mahama drew from his own diverse heritage, noting that mastering several Ghanaian and West African languages had deepened his appreciation of identity and belonging.
He posited that feeling a part of various communities grants individuals dignity, identity, and connection to humanity's collective narrative. However, Mahama emphasized that when political actors exploit these sentiments for personal gain, it morphs into nativism, chauvinism, xenophobia, and prejudiced attitudes towards those perceived as different.
He reiterated the UN's founding tenet of treating every individual as part of a single human family, irrespective of race, religion, language, skin tone, or birthplace. Mahama underscored that this principle should steer the global community's approach to refugees, migrants, conflict victims, and marginalized groups worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
