The GaDangme Council has refuted President Akufo-Addo’s assertion that Tetteh Quarshie hails from Mampong in the Eastern Region.
According to the Council, historical records confirm that Tetteh Quarshie’s birthplace is Osu in the Greater Accra Region.
In a released statement signed by its President, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, the Council emphasised the discrepancy between the President’s statement and historical facts, stressing that it has led to confusion.
They provided evidence from historical records unequivocally placing Mr Quarshie’s birth and upbringing in Osu.
“Tetteh Quarshie’s roots in Osu are well-documented, with many sources confirming his ties to the community except that some sometimes link it to Teshie. In both scenarios however he remains of a pure Ga extraction,” the statement said.
The Council further argued that the President’s assertion lacks substantial evidence and contradicts established historical accounts.
“It is crucial to correct this misinformation and set the record straight regarding the origins of Tetteh Quarshie. By spreading this inaccurate information, we risk distorting our understanding of history and undermining the legacy of individuals who have made significant contributions to our society. It is essential to rely on factual evidence and historical sources to ensure the accuracy of our narratives,” it added.
President Akufo-Addo during the 67th Independence Day celebration in Koforidua on March 6, credited Tetteh Quarshie as the visionary behind the introduction of cocoa to Ghana, associating his origin with Mampong Akuapem.
“Indeed, Tetteh Quarshie, an indigene of Mampong Akuapem, here in the Eastern Region, brought back, in the late 19th century, the cocoa pod from Fernando Po, now Bioko, in Equatorial Guinea, an act which led him and others to establish our nation’s first commercial cocoa farms here in the Eastern Region.”
However, this statement by the President has sparked disagreement from the GaDangme Council.