Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, running mate to Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged political campaigners to refrain from using religious and tribal affiliations as campaign strategies.
He pointed out that Ghanaians have never based their presidential voting decisions on such grounds, emphasizing the need to focus on competence, vision, and track record.
This message comes in response to recent statements by some political figures pushing for religion to play a major role in this year’s election. Certain individuals have gone as far as to argue that Ghana’s next President should be Christian due to the country’s religious demographics.
Speaking during a community engagement in Ahenkro, Afigya Kwabre North Constituency on Friday, 4th October, Dr. Prempeh described this rhetoric as regrettable. He reiterated that Ghanaians have historically chosen leaders based on their ability to deliver, not their religious or tribal affiliations.
“Since independence, Ghanaians have demonstrated that they do not discriminate when it comes to the choice of leaders. Religious and tribal affiliations have never been a consideration for electing Presidents in Ghana. Being a Christian or Muslim, a Mamprusi, Gonja, or Asante really and truly does not matter,” he said.
Dr. Prempeh, also known as NAPO, expressed confidence that Ghanaians will overwhelmingly vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections due to his competence and vision. He praised Dr. Bawumia for his leadership and track record as Vice President, citing numerous successful social interventions.
“I am convinced that the good people of Ghana will vote massively for Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be the next President of Ghana because he is competent and has a proven track record and integrity. He is the most visible Vice President in the history of Ghana and has successfully spearheaded many laudable interventions even as Vice President,” he added.
During the event, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Hon. Collins Adomako Mensah, who is seeking re-election, highlighted the achievements of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the areas of energy, education, health, and infrastructure development both in the constituency and nationwide. He urged the electorate to support Dr. Bawumia and the party’s parliamentary candidates.
Hon. Adomako Mensah also praised Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s leadership, referring to him as a political mentor and role model.
In addition, Dr. Opoku Prempeh commissioned a newly built ultramodern sports complex at Ahenkro, funded by the Ghana National Gas Company Ltd, with support from Nana Ahenkrosei Poku IV, the Chief of Ahenkro.
The commissioning ceremony was followed by an inaugural football match between the Old Stars team, led by Captain Stephen Appiah, and the Afigya Kwabre North 11. The Old Stars won the match, defeating the local team by 3 goals to 1.
