Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), the immediate past Afigya Kwabre South constituency chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that Religion should not be a reason or consideration to vote for or against any person aspiring to lead the party for the 2024 general election.
He said the choice of an NPP flagbearer should be based on hard work, competence and dedication to the progress of the governing party and the country.
“When I hear people especially senior members of the great NPP talk about who should be given the chance to lead the party for 2024 and they involve beliefs, tribe, faith and the likes. I get worried because the above cannot put food on the table or money into people’s pocket. Religion should therefore not be a reason to reject or accept someone to lead a political party”, COKA stressed.
Chairman Odeneho Appiah who shared the above views in an interview with Angel FM in Kumasi last Monday added that it is actually those who have nothing to offer NPP and by extension Ghana that who want to divide the country on faith or religious lines.
He remarked that Ghanaians want NPP to elect a leader who will lead and govern this country to the satisfaction of all.
“There are three major religions in Ghana; Christianity, Islam and traditional. I have heard some people talk about the fact that because Christians are in majority, selecting a leader of NPP from the minority religious grouping may not help the party to win 2024 elections. I ask then that when a Christian is selected as leader of Ghana, will all the country’s problems be solved?
“Whoever made that public statement, calling for a Christian to lead NPP and Ghana should as a matter of respect to all religious bodies in the country apologise. Such comments must not be entertained as they have the tendency to cause enmity among the religious groups in Ghana”, the former Ashanti Regional Chairman aspirant reiterated.
COKA who is also the immediate past head of Association of Ashanti region constituency chairmen stated that Ghana is a secular state, adding that the supreme law of the land, the 1992 constitution guarantees religious tolerance and freedom.
“A research done by the policy think tank, Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Afrobarometer show that more than 9 out of 10 Ghanaians will not mind having people of different faith as neighbours. In fact, today, there are inter religious marriages all across Ghana. As a country we should not be interested in any tribal or religious politics. Religious fanaticism should never be entertained”.
He urged Ghanaians to emulate the calibre of Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu and respect each other’s Faith.
“Ghana is indeed blessed to have a Muslim leader like the Chief Imam Sheikh Osmanu Sharubutu who is tolerant to different faiths. The chief Imam visited a Christian church as part of his 100th birthday celebration. He is on record to have also contributed cash to the building of national cathedral for Christians. His visit and donation to the cathedral did not change his beliefs and principles. This is a sign of religious tolerance which we all need to learn,” COKA added.
