The Paga Youth Movement (PAYOM) has called on football administrator Tekyi Ahin to immediately withdraw and publicly apologise for remarks attributed to him during a radio discussion on Space FM in Sunyani concerning former Ghana captain André Dede Ayew and the Paga community.
According to a news card published by 90Plus Sports, Mr. Tekyi Ahin was quoted as saying: “Dede Ayew should invest his money in goat farming in Paga. Football is about relationships.”
The statement has sparked strong reactions from the Paga Youth Movement, which describes the reference to Paga as “deeply offensive, demeaning, and unacceptable”.
In a petition signed by its Chairman, Wenawome Aborah Duriyem, PAYOM said it respects Mr. Tekyi Ahin’s right to express an opinion about football administration and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidency.
However, the group strongly objected to what it considers the inappropriate use of Paga and Northern Ghana in making that argument.
“This matter is no longer simply about Paga.”
PAYOM said the controversy goes beyond a disagreement over Dede Ayew’s suitability for the GFA presidency.
According to the group, Paga is a community with a rich history and a population comprising entrepreneurs, professionals, farmers, academics, public servants, business leaders and young people contributing to Ghana’s development.
The movement argued that suggesting someone of Dede Ayew’s stature should abandon ambitions in football administration and instead invest in “goat farming in Paga” unnecessarily diminishes the community.
PAYOM further expressed concern that such language could reinforce what it described as a broader stereotype that Northern Ghana is primarily suited to agriculture and livestock, while positions of influence, leadership and national decision-making are reserved for people from elsewhere.
“We reject that mentality completely,” the petition stated.
“Northern Ghana is not a dumping ground for ambitions; Northern Ghana is not a region without intellectuals; Northern Ghana is not a region without leaders.”
Highlighting Northern Ghana’s contribution to national leadership the Paga Youth Movement pointed to the history of Northern Ghana and its contribution to Ghana’s political and national development.
The group cited former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, President John Dramani Mahama and former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as examples of prominent Ghanaians of Northern origin who have occupied some of the country’s highest political offices.
PAYOM said the achievements of such individuals demonstrate that people from Northern Ghana have historically played significant roles in national leadership and development.
The group also noted the contributions of Northerners across politics, the military, traditional leadership, academia, business, sports, culture, music and public service.
The movement was careful to distinguish its objection to the alleged remark from any disparagement of farming or livestock production.
“We have nothing against goat farming,” the petition stated.
“Farming is dignified work, and livestock production is an important part of Ghana’s economy.”
PAYOM said its concern was instead with the context in which goat farming in Paga was reportedly invoked.
The movement also highlighted Paga’s wider cultural, historical and economic identity, pointing to attractions and landmarks including the Paga Crocodile Pond and Pikworo Slave Camp, as well as the community’s role in cross-border commerce and its historical relationship with neighbouring Burkina Faso.
The group argued that using Paga as a metaphor for where an individual should retreat to when seeking a national leadership position was unacceptable.
PAYOM also defended Dede Ayew’s contribution to Ghanaian football.
The movement noted that the Ayew family has been part of Ghana’s football history for generations, with Dede’s father, Abedi Pele, regarded as one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.
According to the petition, the people of Northern Ghana have embraced Abedi Pele and the Ayew family as part of Ghana’s wider football heritage.
PAYOM therefore said it was particularly concerned that a Northern community was reportedly used as the punchline in an argument about Dede Ayew’s suitability to lead Ghanaian football.
The group stressed that people can legitimately disagree with Dede Ayew’s suitability for the GFA presidency without diminishing his contribution to Ghanaian football.
“One may disagree with Dede Ayew’s suitability for the GFA presidency without diminishing his contribution to Ghanaian football,” the petition stated.
“And one may disagree with his ambitions without dragging an entire community into the argument.”
Call for unity in Ghanaian football
The Paga Youth Movement further appealed for greater responsibility in public discourse surrounding Ghanaian football.
PAYOM consequently called on Mr. Tekyi Ahin to:
1. Immediately withdraw the statement referring to Dede Ayew investing his money in goat farming in Paga.
2. Publicly apologise to the people of Paga for what the movement considers a derogatory and insulting reference to the community.
3. Extend the apology to the people of Northern Ghana for bringing their communities and identity into the controversy.
“This is not an attack on Aduana FC, its supporters, or the people of Dormaa. It is not an attack on Bono people. It is a demand for respect.”
