TESCON, the student wing of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly condemned remarks by Dr. Stephen Amoah, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, following a recent event in Kumasi. At a TESCON gathering, Dr. Amoah stated that “Christians will not elect a Muslim President,” adding that “Christians hardly want to vote for a Muslim leader. It is a fact.” These comments sparked swift backlash from the student group and political observers alike .
The MP’s remarks extended beyond electoral statistics. Dr. Amoah attempted to frame the sentiment as a spiritual-pattern observation, claiming that predominantly Muslim regions around the world are often resource-rich—suggesting 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 didn’t agree with those pastors but stated it was true .
In response, TESCON released a strong statement condemning the MP’s 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 vision—not 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 TESCON’s concerns, warning that framing political contest along religious lines could polarise communities and compromise Ghana’s peaceful democratic traditions. Meanwhile, some supporters of Dr. Amoah defended his comments as a blunt call for honesty, arguing that hiding prejudiced attitudes does not help resolve them.
The controversy places Ghana’s discourse on religion and politics under renewed scrutiny. With a significant Muslim minority, the nation prides itself on religious pluralism. TESCON’s rebuke underscores official efforts across the political spectrum to uphold that pluralism, even as figures like Dr. Amoah 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. Amoah’s push for frank conversation about religious dynamics—or 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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