Rastafarians want more recognition

Rastafarians in the country have called on the government to include them and their ideas in the current democratic governance of the country.
That, they said, would enable them to contribute effectively to the development of the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Rastafari Council, which has been constituted to seek the welfare all Rastafarians in the country, the President of the council, Ras Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, said the council was made up of representatives from various Rastafari organisations in the country and individuals who were not affiliated to any organisation but had established a track record of contributing meaningfully to society.
He said the objectives of the council were to promote unity among the various Rastafari organisations in the country, establish youth development and educational programmes, as well as seek the mutual interest of all Rastafarians.
Ras Ocansey said the council would also set up a credit union for its members to support those who faced financial difficulties, adding that the credit union would form the basis of an economic regeneration of Rastafari in Ghana.
He expressed his displeasure at the negative perception people had of Rastafarians, adding that despite the level of education of many Ghanaians, there were still some amount of stigmatisation associated with Rastafari and the council was prepared to change that.
He commended the media and the general public for not sticking to the perception about Rastafarians by attending the launch.
The Chairman for the occasion, Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, charged the council to strive for higher positions and ignore the perception people had of them.
He said Rastafarians were true Africans who helped in fighting for the rights of black people and they needed to be accepted and appreciated by the society.
Mr Pratt debunked the notion that Rastafarians were a bunch of criminals who were a threat to society and stated that due to that perception, children who were Rastafarians were always dismissed from school or not accepted by school authorities.
As part of the event, a minute’s silence was observed for some renowned Rastafarians who had passed away, such as Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, the legendary Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Joseph Hill of Culture and Lucky Dube.


Picture: Some members of the Rastafari Council in a group picture after the inauguration.