“We Are Ghanaians by Law, Not by Name”-Baba Jamal Decries Discrimination Against Zongo Communities
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso East, Hon. Mohammed Ahmed Baba Jamal, has issued a passionate plea to the nation to end the systemic tagging of residents in Zongo communities as “aliens” or non-citizens.
Addressing the media in Parliament following an official statement on the floor, the lawmaker expressed grave concern over the frequent denial of national identification documents to his constituents based on their names, tribes, or religious backgrounds.
Mr. Jamal highlighted a troubling trend where individuals from Zongo enclaves—often the historic heart of Ghana’s urban centers—are turned away from state institutions when attempting to acquire Ghana Cards, passports, or other official IDs.
He argued that these actions undermine the very foundation of national unity and disregard the legal definitions of citizenship enshrined in the Ghanaian Constitution.
”A lot of people are being denied these documents, national identities, which need to be brought to the attention of the country,” the MP stated. “We are not Ghanaians because of our names, because of where we come from, or because of our tribes.
“We are Ghanaians because the law made us Ghanaians. Once you satisfy the constitutional provision, you are a Ghanaian.”
The legislator noted that his constituency, which includes Nima—the largest Zongo community in the country—is a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups, including Kotokolis, Dagombas, and Zabramas.
He stressed that while some of these tribes exist across West African borders, their presence in Ghana predates independence in many cases, making their descendants rightfully Ghanaian.
He urged officials to stop using linguistic or tribal markers as a shorthand for foreignness.
”You are not an alien because your name is Bukari or Sedu, and you are not a Ghanaian because your name is Kwame,” Mr. Jamal remarked.
“If your father, mother, or great-grandparent was Ghanaian by law, or if you were here when independence was pronounced and chose to be Ghanaian, you and your offspring are citizens. This issue eats into the fabric of our communities and creates unnecessary tension.”
Coinciding with the Eid celebrations, the MP used the spirit of the season to call for greater religious and social tolerance.
He praised Ghana’s reputation as a haven of harmony where Muslims and Christians coexist peacefully, citing the iconic example of the National Chief Imam celebrating his centenary in a church.
However, he warned that this peace is threatened when segments of the population are treated as second-class citizens or “foreigners” in their own land.
Mr. Jamal concluded by urging the media and state institutions to help dismantle these prejudices, ensuring that every eligible Ghanaian, regardless of their “Zongo” identity or “Ewe” name, is granted the rights and privileges they are legally afforded.
He expressed hope that the dictates of Eid—love, brotherly kindness, and unity would guide the nation toward a more inclusive future where identity is defined by the constitution rather than by bias.
Source: Felix NYAABA// expressnewsghana.com
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