The Deputy National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale has vehemently accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of engaging in religious politics.
This comes on the heels of the NDC’s campaign launch in the Northern Region, a move that has sparked discussions about the role of religion in the upcoming elections.
Responding to a journalist’s question about the implications of the NDC’s decision to launch its campaign in the North, Basintale was quick to dismiss any notion that the launch was religiously motivated.
“Did you see us launching a campaign in the mosque? We launched it at the Jubilee Park. Is the Jubilee Park now on religious grounds? You would have accused us if we had carried our campaign to Saudi Arabia and launched it in Mecca, But we launched it in the north. Who told you the people of the north are only Muslims? The people of the north are both Muslims and Christians”.
Malik Basintale, NDC Deputy National Communications Officer
He emphasized that the Northern Region is home to a diverse population of Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists, thus debunking the assertion that the campaign launch was a religious gesture.
Mr Basintale turned his focus to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, accusing him of trying to divide the country along religious lines.
He claimed that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been openly soliciting votes based on his Muslim faith.
“The man who has attempted to plunge this country into chaos is Dr. Bawumia. He’s the one who has been heard on tape going around and telling people to vote for him because he is a Muslim,” Mr Basintale stated
He expressed surprise and disappointment at these actions, stressing that Ghana has enjoyed more than 60 years of religious harmony.
The Deputy National Communications Officer of the oposition NDC called on all Ghanaians to denounce religious politics, reminding them of the country’s legacy of peaceful coexistence among different religious groups.
“Elections on who becomes President in Ghana are not elections on who becomes chief imam, or elections on who the pope becomes, or who becomes the catechist.
“Is an election on who becomes President of the Republic of Ghana, over both Muslims, Christians, traditionalists, and Buddhists, I think it is time to call you all out to let’s plead with him to stop that”.
Malik Basintale, NDC Deputy National Communications Officer
Dr Bawumia accused of failing Muslim Communities
Moreover, Malik Basintale, the National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communications Officer criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s track record on issues affecting the Muslim community.
He pointed out the increased cost of the pilgrimage to Mecca, which has risen from GHS 13,000 under former President John Dramani Mahama to GHS 75,000 under the current administration.
“When the debate on hijab was high in this country, in 2016, former President John Dramani Mahama said, look, allow the girl child to wear the hijab if they want to. In 2017, when Dr Bawumia came, he never commented on it. He left the girl child to their fate.
“Wasn’t the same Dr Bawumia who promised to build villas and redevelop ‘Zongos’? When the ‘Zongos’ were calling for full development, he rather told them he was going to teach them how to prepare kenkey and Waakye”.
Malik Basintale, NDC Deputy National Communications Officer
Concluding his remarks, Malik Basintale called for a collective effort to maintain religious tolerance and harmony in Ghana.
“I wish that politics develops in this country and grows. I wish that religion grows in tolerance, and I want to see Muslims, and Christians live in harmony,” he said.
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