A group of Muslims in Koforidua Zongo has called upon the National Peace Council to call the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi to order over his religious politicking.
During this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr festival in Koforidua, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Michael Okyere Baafi asserted that, for Muslims, this year’s election should not be about political affiliation but about religious affiliation therefore Muslims must support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be elected as first Muslim president in Ghana’s history because since 1957 all Presidents who have ascended the seat were Christians.
However, a group of Muslims in Koforidua Zongo have raised concerns that the decision by the MP to use religion to campaign for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the NPP could sow division between Christians and Muslims in the constituency.
They therefore called on the National Peace Council to call the MP to retract and refrain from such a campaign.
The convener, Salasie Amuzu, said the Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Michael Okyere Baafi must be made to retract his statement and apologize.
“We urge the National Peace Council to be unbiased and speak truth to power. For that matter, they should call on the honorable member of Parliament for New Juaben South to retract and refrain from whatever he has been doing because if the Peace Council doesn’t come in some of us see them as being biased because you don’t wait for things to go wrong before you step in”.
He said the Council must ” be proactive enough don’t be just reactive always be proactive. Go out to the people talk to the people, the political parties so that everybody will know the rules of the game nit to ensure this type of religious and ethnic politics. They should be mindful that we have only one Ghana and we want to live in our own country and have Peace of mind and move forward,” Salasie Amuzu, known constituency chairman of the NDC in New Juaben South stated.
Some other concerned Muslims expressed dismay over neglect from the Akufo-Addo Bawumia government, citing deteriorating infrastructure and lack of social amenities in the Zongo community.
According to them, not a single project has been executed in the community under the Zongo development fund.
These residents emphasized their commitment to voting based on competence and development rather than religion or ethnicity.
They urge political leaders to address the needs of all citizens and refrain from divisive religious politics.
The December 7 Presidential election in Ghana will be contested by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, currently Vice President and Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, and John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the latest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, as well as other independent candidates.
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
