TESCON, the student wing of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly condemned remarks by Dr.âŻStephen Amoah, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, following a recent event in Kumasi. At a TESCON gathering, Dr.âŻAmoah stated that âChristians will not elect a Muslim President,â adding that âChristians hardly want to vote for a Muslim leader. It is a fact.â These comments sparked swift backlash from the student group and political observers alike .
The MPâs remarks extended beyond electoral statistics. Dr.âŻAmoah attempted to frame the sentiment as a spiritual-pattern observation, claiming that predominantly Muslim regions around the world are often resource-richâsuggesting divine favour. He argued that recognising these facts might be uncomfortable but necessary for national introspection . He also alleged that during a previous election some Christian pastors had actively organised WhatsApp groups to campaign against Muslim candidates, admitting he didnât agree with those pastors but stated it was true .
In response, TESCON released a strong statement condemning the MPâs remarks as divisive and counterproductive to national cohesion. Stressing that democratic values must transcend religious identities, the student group argued that leadership should be determined by competence and visionânot faith. They also suggested that such statements risk inflaming religious tensions and undermining efforts to promote religious tolerance.
Reactions from civil society and political analysts were swift and mixed. Many echoed TESCONâs concerns, warning that framing political contest along religious lines could polarise communities and compromise Ghanaâs peaceful democratic traditions. Meanwhile, some supporters of Dr.âŻAmoah defended his comments as a blunt call for honesty, arguing that hiding prejudiced attitudes does not help resolve them.
The controversy places Ghanaâs discourse on religion and politics under renewed scrutiny. With a significant Muslim minority, the nation prides itself on religious pluralism. TESCONâs rebuke underscores official efforts across the political spectrum to uphold that pluralism, even as figures like Dr.âŻAmoah challenge the country to confront and debate deeply held biases.
As Ghana prepares for future elections, this episode may set a precedent. Will voices like Dr.âŻAmoahâs push for frank conversation about religious dynamicsâor will groups like TESCON prevail in keeping faith and politics separate? The coming months will reveal how much religious identity continues to shape Ghanaian political life.
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