Chiefs in Koforidua Zongo, Eastern Region, have clashed with Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, when he brought his religious politics to the Masarautan Sarkin Zango Chiefs Palace.
Okyere Baafi urged Zongo Chiefs and Elders to support Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, emphasizing the need for Ghana’s first Muslim President.
He said, historically, Christians have occupied the seat since independence therefore time for Muslims to take over and lead the country.
The comment by the lawmaker attracted spontaneous condemnation at the palace.
Muhammad Muctar Umar, the Garkuwan Gababas [Advisor to Zongo chiefs in the Eastern region], condemned and described Okyere Baafi’s comments as “unfortunate,” stating, “we don’t support religious politics. When religion surprises comes into politics is sad. After the Census in Ghana, Christian population is greater that Muslim population. So if We say muslims should vote for a Muslim then it is going to be problematic for us so I beg, this Christian-Muslim politics must stop. We must assess and vote for one who is competent for us”.
He cautioned against the divisive nature of such campaigns, adding, “We plead with politicians, when you come to us, market your candidates, but when you bring in religion, it creates problems.”
Despite the caution, Okyere Baafi repeated his religious campaign message during Eid-ul-fitr prayers, prompting condemnation from concerned Muslims in Koforidua.
They called on the National Peace Council to intervene, citing the need to maintain harmony between Christians and Muslims in Ghana.
The convener, Salasie Amuzu, said 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 honourable to retract and refrain from whatever he has been doing because if Peace council don’t come in some of us will see them as being biased because they don’t wait for things to go wrong before they step in”.
He said the Council must “be proactive enough and not be just reactive. Go out to the people and talk them including the political parties so that everybody will know the rules of the game. 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,” said Salasie Amuzu.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
