Eastern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the NPP for inciting Muslims against Christians ahead of the Dec 7 polls.
The Eastern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jeff Konadu Addo while addressing supporters of the NPP during the campaign launch of New Juaben South MP on Sunday 27 October 2024 stated that if Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia fails in the December 7 presidential election, future Muslim Presidential candidates may not be supported by Christians again.
The Regional Chairman asserted that Christians across the nation are prepared to support Dr. Bawumia, and he urged the Muslim community to unite in voting for him, as this is a historic opportunity for Ghana to elect its first Muslim president.
“If you are a Muslim listening to me, you have a responsibility. When you go to the polls and you disappoint Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, you are disappointing your children in the future because if any Muslim contests for President, Christians will say when a Muslim was made Presidential candidate you (Muslims) disappointed him so nobody should bring a Muslim again”, said Jeff Konadu.
A statement issued by the Eastern Regional Chairman of NDC Mark Oliver Kevor, PhD on Wednesday said the party” has become aware of very divisive and inciting videos in circulation on social media which captures top NPP officials and Party executives in the Eastern Region explicitly engaged in an anti-Christian religious campaign.
“In some of the said videos, the NPP Eastern Regional Chairman and also the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry are audibly heard inciting Muslims to vote for the Chairman of Ghana’s failed Economic Management Team (Buwumia) simply because he’s a Muslim; while promoting religious conflict between Muslims and Christians. They claim this contest is a contest between Moslems and the rest of Ghanaians (predominantly Christians”, a portion of the statement said.
The NDC unequivocally and unreservedly condemned ” this inciting and reckless religious-based campaign being desperately promoted by the failed NPP government. As a nation united in our diversities, campaigning based on religion is the last thing any politician should dream and think of, owing to the danger it portends to our fragile and young democracy”.
The party called on political actors to resist from religious and tribal politics to maintain religious harmony in the country.
“Whiles calling on all politicians to engage in issue-based campaign ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections, we urge voters to reject any politician who seeks their votes through nation-wrecking means such as campaigns based on religion or ethnicity”.
The statement by the NDC add that, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as an experienced and civil Leader, is focused on his quest to protect Ghana’s democracy; and thus, abhors campaign that seeks to divide Ghanaians.
“Although John Dramani Mahama is an avowed Christian, he has always embraced Muslims in the spirit of unity and oneness. In fact, the NDC when in government, implements policies and programs that positively impacts the Muslim fraternity much more than any other government.Policies such as the Islamic Education Unit, Islamic College of Education, Muslim Holidays (Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Ahda), transportation of Muslim pilgrims straight from Tamale to Mecca, etc are all impactful initiatives of the NDC whiles in government”.
The Statement assured that, the next John Mahama-led NDC Government (from 2025) will implement the Soyaya Fund, rationalize the huge Hajj fares and, give additional Holiday to Muslims to observe Eid after Ramadan to ultimately improve the standards of living in Muslim communities.
The NDC said, “2024 general elections is about which Presidential candidate has presented a social contract that seeks to salvage the nation from the economic quagmire we currently find ourselves in, create jobs for our teeming unemployed youth and improve the lives of citizens; and not about the candidate’s religion or ethnicity. It is about a Change from this corrupt administration, collapsed economy and careless leadership or a Continuity of same”.
The party stressed that ” this is not a contest for a religious leader. Ghana is not looking for the next Chief Imam or an ArchBishop General. If it was, Alhaji Bawumiah will never have been the Moslem representative”.
The statement said John Dramani Mahama stands tall hence strongly believe will be given the nod once again to restore Ghana to its glorious past.
“The NDC calls on all faith-based organizations, religious leaders, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, the academia, and well-meaning Ghanaians to speak against this reckless and disuniting campaign strategy of the NPP, lest they take us all into a regrettable abyss. Imagine if Christians take a hard stand to make this election an anti-Christian agenda. Ghana remains our only nation, and we must therefore safeguard our democracy with all our might.” the statement concluded.
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
