NPP GERMANY
PRESS RELEASE
02—11—2025
Sack Yusif Sulemana For Reckless Insult To Kyebi—NPP GERMANY Tells Prez Mahama
Ghana’s democracy has survived on the back of mutual respect, responsible speech, and an unwavering duty by leaders to uplift—not denigrate—the citizens they represent. But in Parliament last week, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, shredded that basic ethic with reckless abandon.
The Bole MP’s claim that the people of Kyebi once “drank water with pigs” was not only appallingly disrespectful—it was a deliberate, contemptuous insult aimed at an entire community. Such conduct is beneath the dignity of any honourable house, let alone a minister entrusted with the stewardship of Ghana’s natural resources.
At a time when illegal mining remains one of the country’s biggest environmental challenges, one would expect a Deputy Minister to elevate the discussion with facts, clarity, and leadership. Instead, he chose cheap sensationalism, turning parliamentary debate into a playground of derogatory imagination.
His comment did nothing to advance the fight against galamsey. It did nothing to enlighten the nation. What it did was drag Parliament into unnecessary controversy and ignite justified outrage across the Eastern Region—especially among the youth of Kyebi who immediately demanded accountability.
For decades, Kyebi has carried the national burden of being placed under the microscope of galamsey politics. But no community—no matter the environmental challenges it faces—deserves to be spoken of as though its people shared drinking water with animals.
The claim itself is false, unproven, and historically hollow. It collapses upon the slightest scrutiny. That a Deputy Minister of Lands could repeat such a statement on the floor of Parliament without evidence reflects nothing but recklessness.
When Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh rose on a point of order, describing the remark as “unfounded, offensive and disrespectful,” he was not speaking only for Kyebi. He was speaking for every Ghanaian who still believes in decency in public office.
Parliament may be a house of debate, but it is not a marketplace of disrespect. Yusif Sulemana’s language crossed every line. And it is shameful that he attempted to hide behind partisan defence rather than truth.
Leaders must set the tone for unity. They must heal wounds, not create fresh scars. Yet in one careless sentence, Mr. Sulemana managed to offend a whole town, distort its history, and inflame tensions that require no further ignition.
Even more disturbing is the fact that he made these remarks as a Deputy Minister—a position that requires greater sensitivity, restraint, and understanding of national cohesion. Ministers do not get to insult communities. Ministers do not get to fabricate degrading imagery. Ministers do not get to weaponize misinformation.
Ghana’s political discourse has deteriorated enough. We cannot normalize this kind of verbal violence. It corrodes trust, poisons democratic debate, and entrenches needless regional animosities.
No community in Ghana is inferior to another. No group of citizens should be caricatured for political scoring. And no MP should feel so emboldened as to say anything simply because he thinks his supporters will clap.
The people of Kyebi have every right to demand an apology. And the Deputy Minister has every obligation to give one—immediately, sincerely, and without excuses.
Instead of providing evidence to defend his shocking remark, he offered none because none exists. What exists is a cheap attempt to shame a community to prop up a failing political argument.
The issue of polluted water bodies is serious, complex, and national—not tribal, not regional, and certainly not a topic for mocking citizens.
To blame or demean residents for environmental degradation they did not cause is not leadership.
Parliament must send a strong message that such inflammatory statements will not be tolerated.
The integrity of the House depends on the conduct of its members, and such behaviour cannot be allowed to become precedent.
What happened on November 21st was not a slip of tongue; it was a deliberate attempt to use shock value in place of intelligent debate. And it backfired—deservedly so.
The youth of Kyebi, who swiftly condemned the comments as distortions of their history, exemplified what citizens should do when leaders go off track: stand firm, speak up, and defend their dignity.
This is not about partisan colours. It is about respect. It is about protecting our civic culture from descending into barbaric insults and uncouth exaggerations masquerading as political analysis.
Ghana is too diverse, too interconnected, and too fragile to allow leaders to plant seeds of disdain among communities. Every reckless comment becomes fuel for future conflict.
If the Deputy Minister truly cares about the nation’s water bodies, his energy should be directed at fighting galamsey, not insulting communities already suffering the consequences of illegal mining.
And if he cares about his reputation, he should not wait for Parliament to compel him; he should voluntarily withdraw the comment and apologise to the people of Kyebi and Ghanaians at large.
Silence from him would signal arrogance. Refusal to apologise would signal contempt. But an apology—honest and unreserved—would signal maturity and respect.
Yusif Sulemana must choose which legacy he wants: a responsible leader who corrects his wrongs, or a careless Minister who divided communities with reckless language.
The path is clear. The people of Kyebi deserve an apology. Ghana deserves better leadership. And Parliament must never again allow such disdainful, baseless remarks to stain its floor.
Ghana’s democracy deserves better.
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!!!
Long Live Ghana, long live the Elephant Party!!!!
Kukruduuuu Eeeessshiii!!!
Signed:
Nana Osei Boateng
NPP GERMANY
Communications Director
