One obvious trait featuring public discourse, and political campaign among others ahead of the 2024 general elections is religious and ethnic sentiment.
This is largely because, for the first time in the history of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, two of the presidential candidates of the leading political parties in the country, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party are from the Northern part of the country.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a Muslim and a member of the Mamprusi ethnic group hails from Tamale, the Northern Region of Ghana while John Dramani Mahama, a Christian and member of the Gonja ethnic group of Ghana hails from Bole in the Savanna Region.
Until the creation of the six additional regions by President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party in December 2018, the two regions together with the North East Region used to be the original Northern Region.
So for the first time a minority-Muslim, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would be contesting on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party against John Dramani Mahama, a minority-Christian on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
While the ruling New Patriotic Party has lauded and hailed the Vice President and its flagbearer for the 2024 general election, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for his sense of religious tolerance and respect for diversity, the opposition National Democratic Congress has accused him of playing ‘double cards’ with religion in the country and described him as a ‘religious nomad’.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George chastised the Vice President and the New Patriotic Party flagbearer on his religious stance and described him as a ‘religious prostitute’.
“No true Muslim anywhere in this world believes that Jesus Christ is our lord and saviour. No true Muslim kneels before a Catholic priest or a pastor to lay hands on them – only Bawumia. If you like, you can take the Surah Mariama which talks about who Jesus is. They do not see Jesus Christ as their lord and personal saviour as we do. Bawumia goes to a church, claiming that Jesus Christ is our Lord and personal saviour. He is not a proper Muslim”.
Samuel Nartey George
While the Ningo-Prampram legislator’s comment has received supports from his party as against condemnations from the ruling New Patriotic Party and some members of the public, the lawmaker’s comments are reflective of a broader trend of inflammatory religious and ethnic sentiments which has ignited ahead of the December 7 2024 election campaign.
The Reflections of Religious and Ethnic Sentiment in Public Elections
Religious and ethnic sentiments can significantly impact public elections, and their effects can be both positive and negative for political parties and the state.
For instance, religious and ethnic sentiments can encourage community engagement and participation in the democratic process, especially when people identify strongly with their religious or ethnic group, they may be more motivated to vote and actively participate in elections.
Again, religious and ethnic sentiments can foster a sense of solidarity and social cohesion within a community, particularly when individuals feel a strong connection to their religious or ethnic group, it can lead to cooperative efforts, mutual support, and a shared sense of identity.
However, overemphasis on religious or ethnic identity during election campaigns can contribute to divisiveness and polarization, which may lead to an “us versus them” mentality, fostering hostility and hindering collaboration between different communities.
Moreover, in extreme cases, heightened religious or ethnic sentiments can contribute to electoral violence as disputes over identity-based issues are likely to escalate into conflicts during election campaigns.
The Former United Nations Envoy to West Africa and the Sahel Region, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas has expressed concerns about the phenomena and cautioned Ghanaians to be wary of the ‘divisive, religious, and ethnic sentiments’ emerging ahead of the 2024 general election.
According to the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, the criteria used in electing the leaders of the country must transcend religious and ethnic considerations.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing some divisive tendencies in our society, and we must all be careful about them, especially when we have elections in 2024. When it comes to election year, all our demons come out. So please let us focus on messages when we are choosing our leaders in this country”.
Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas
In conclusion, while religious and ethnic sentiments are parasitic features of many public elections across the African continent, political leaders and actors in the country must demonstrate restraint and decorum in their public discourse to avert the potentially divisive impacts of religious and ethnic sentiments on Ghana’s democratic process.
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