The Eastern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced concern over circulating videos on social media that allegedly show senior New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials in the region engaged in a campaign focused on religious affiliation.

The NDC claims the videos feature the NPP Eastern Regional Chairman and the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, urging Muslim communities to vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and presidential candidate for the NPP, based solely on his religious background as a Muslim.

According to the NDC, these officials present the election as a contest between Muslims and the rest of the predominantly Christian Ghanaian population.

In a statement signed by Mark-Oliver Kevor, Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC, the party condemned what it described as a “reckless religious-based campaign” by the NPP.

The NDC expressed concern that such a campaign could jeopardize Ghana’s social cohesion and undermine the country’s young democracy.

The statement emphasized the importance of unity and diversity, adding, “Campaigning based on religion is the last thing any politician should dream of due to the danger it portends to our fragile democracy.”

The NDC called on all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigning in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, encouraging voters to reject candidates who campaign on divisive platforms such as religion or ethnicity.

The statement pointed to former President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s democracy, describing him as a leader who respects religious diversity.

Although Mahama is a Christian, the NDC noted, he has a longstanding history of supporting Ghana’s Muslim communities and promoting policies that benefit them.

Highlighting its track record, the NDC stated that during its time in government, it implemented programmes benefiting the Muslim community, including the Islamic Education Unit, the establishment of the Islamic College of Education, Muslim holidays, and direct transportation of Muslim pilgrims from Tamale to Mecca. The party also shared some proposed policies for Muslim communities under a future Mahama-led administration, such as the establishment of the Soyaya Fund, the reduction of Hajj fares, and additional holiday provisions for Muslims to observe Eid after Ramadan.

The NDC stressed that the upcoming election is not a contest for religious leadership, adding, “Ghana is not looking for the next Chief Imam or Archbishop General.” Instead, it argued, the election should focus on selecting a leader who can address Ghana’s current economic challenges, create jobs, and improve citizens’ livelihoods.

In urging faith-based organizations, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and citizens to denounce any religious-based campaign strategies, the NDC warned against allowing religious tensions to shape the election’s outcome,the statement concluded,