Don’t defend “Y?ntie Obiaa,” it’s not good for democracy – Gen Mosquito

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress has disagreed sharply with members of his party approving of the playing of Daddy Lumba’s “Y?ntie Obiaa” hit song during President John Mahama’s recent tour of the Ashanti Region.

The song literally means we shall not listen to anyone or we shall not mind anyone.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah told Asempa FM on its Ekosii Sen programme that the occasion was politically indefensible to play such a song, particularly looking at the environment. Besides communication cannot be only verbal, but even dressing portrays character and intent. It was also wrong particularly as it relates to President Mahama, whom he called a listening president.

But he has a major beef with the song being used for political campaigns , and also with members of the New Patriotic Party who he said were criticizing the president for allowing the song to be played while he was engaged in national duties.

According to Asiedu Nketiah, the song’s political incorrectness stems from the fact that in a democracy, it is unacceptable to claim you will not mind anybody. That does not bode well for consensus building. But for NPP members, he reminds them that they played the same song during their national delegates conference held in Tamale but for which they now want to condemn the president for.

He quipped if the song has suddenly become bad because it was played in Kumasi, when it was good for them when it was played in Tamale.

But the misgivings aside, Asiedu Nketiah said he was happy the NPP had indicated “Y?ntie Obiaa” would be their campaign song for election 2016. Should that happen, all he would require is one press conference to torpedo the party’s campaign, for it presents him a strong campaign weapon.