Chief Obiora Aniekwe, CEO ORAM Global Farm, has said those attacking Igbo tradition and culture in Ghana are actually the gods.
Aniekwe made this statement following public outrage among some Ghanaians over the recent revelation that Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Ihenetu, who claims to be the Igbo King in Ghana, has acquired 50 acres of land to build an Igbo village in Ghana.
Ghanaians have reportedly kicked against the move, saying it is alien to their culture and an attempt at expansionism.
However, Aniekwe, while laying his mind bare during an interview with Oge Ndi Gbo TV, described such pushback as an attack on the Igbo tradition and culture.
He said, "What I have to say about that is a sort of advice because when you attack tradition, the attack is not for man. The attack is the cost to the people who constitute this tradition. So if you are a blogger and you are attacking people's culture and tradition, know that you are attacking the gods of that tradition and culture, and you know the consequences. What I see about the bloggers is that some of them, when you give them money, they don't care about the consequences of what you engage them to write. They just go on and say whatever they want to say.
"Regarding the news going round in Ghana about the Igbo tradition and culture in Ghana, I want to say that we Igbos are proud people and we respect our tradition and culture very much, such that wherever we go around the world, we go with our tradition and culture, because we honour it. Our tradition and culture is our identity.
"Because we see that Ghanaians love tradition and culture, it encourages us to also promote our own tradition and culture in Ghana, and the Ghanaian kings love what we are doing. The Ghanaian government also love what we are doing because this is all about promoting African tradition and culture and that is our identity.
"So, If you are a young African embarking on attacking on the tradition and culture of a people, I think you are misguided because tradition and culture is your own identity. So, you should respect it."
Reacting, an X user, @PeaceWarInsight, said, "We are in Ghana practising our traditions. You carry your 'tradition' from Nigeria to Ghana, and now you’re telling us that your Nigerian gods will punish Ghanaians for speaking and standing up for our traditions and country. In fact, you’re a very foolish man."
@edudzi____ said, "That particular tribe has their people everywhere in the World, including the Amazon. Igbo people spread like wildfire anywhere they go. We embrace their culture and celebrate them but settling is where we draw the line because clearly they are coming with their own culture which will cause chaos. You adapt when you move somewhere it’s not the other way round."
@ChiukwuBiafra said, "The youths you refuse to listen today will become the leaders of tomorrow. Let this man not put Igbo people in Ghana in serious danger when his friends have departed. He must always think of the future before any action in the present."
@vibesoor said, "Masa no one is attacking your culture! Stop changing the narrative! Whoever is asking the questions should ask sensible ones! You have right to practice your culture, you don't have right to acquire land a build a kingdom as described by your Eze... Simple as that!"
ASA