Former President John Mahama has been cautioned against making unprovoked criticisms of revered chiefs, imams, and pastors. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), issued this warning, stating that Mahama’s recent remarks against religious and traditional leaders appear to be driven by frustration.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also known as ‘NAPO’, made these comments during a campaign tour at Ofoase in the Juaben constituency on Thursday. He suggested that Mahama’s remarks were rooted in resentment, accusing the former president of labeling religious and traditional leaders as hypocrites simply because they responded positively to his calls for prayers and support.
“Mr. Mahama has realized that the NDC has no chance of winning the presidential and parliamentary elections, so he has directed his frustration and anger at innocent people,” Napo remarked, indicating that Mahama’s behavior reflects his frustration with the current political climate.
Mahama has faced significant public backlash following comments that were perceived as unprovoked attacks on pastors, chiefs, and imams. The controversy has grown as more people express concern over the former president’s treatment of these respected figures. Dr. Opoku Prempeh emphasized that these leaders have not offended Mahama in any way, and his criticism of them seems to come out of nowhere.
“John Mahama shouldn’t turn his frustration on chiefs, the clergy, imams, and others because they have not offended him,” Napo said, urging the public to reject such behavior. He further highlighted the importance of respecting religious and traditional leaders, who play a crucial role in Ghanaian society.
Napo also pointed out that Mahama appears to be struggling with the reality that the battle ahead of him and the NDC is an arduous one. He suggested that this realization has led Mahama to pick unnecessary quarrels with respected leaders. “John Mahama knows that the battle ahead of him and his NDC is tough, so he is picking quarrels with chiefs, imams, and pastors for no reason,” Napo remarked.
During his campaign stop, Napo made it clear that he would continue to seek the blessings, support, and guidance of chiefs, imams, and pastors. He argued that such an approach was not only respectful but also necessary for building strong relationships with the country’s religious and traditional institutions. “I’ll continue to beg for the support of chiefs, imams, and pastors,” he stated.
Napo went on to explain that his humble approach towards religious and traditional leaders was in the right direction. He expressed confusion over why Mahama would be upset with such a gesture. “If I beg chiefs, imams, and pastors for their blessings, support, and direction to help the NPP, I think it’s in the right direction,” Napo said. Addressing the crowd, he asked, “Should my humble approach cause anger in anybody?” to which the crowd responded with a resounding “no.”
The NPP vice presidential candidate continued to criticize Mahama’s behavior, suggesting that it showed a lack of respect for religious and traditional leaders. He urged the public not to vote for Mahama and the NDC in the upcoming December 7 elections, citing the former president’s treatment of these leaders as a key reason. “Mahama’s weird behavior shows that he doesn’t respect chiefs, imams, and pastors,” Napo said, making a direct appeal to the electorate.
In his address, Napo reiterated his respect for the role of chiefs in Ghanaian society, acknowledging that the lands belong to the chiefs and that their permission must be sought before any political campaign activities take place. “We know the lands belong to our respected chiefs, so I will continue to seek Nananom’s permission before we start our house-to-house campaigns on their lands because I respect our chiefs,” he indicated.
The remarks made by Dr. Opoku Prempeh reflect a broader tension in the political landscape as the 2024 elections approach. As campaign rhetoric heats up, the treatment of religious and traditional leaders has become a focal point for criticism. The NPP’s vice-presidential candidate is positioning himself as a respectful and humble leader, in contrast to what he perceives as Mahama’s confrontational stance.
This issue has not only sparked debate within political circles but also among the general public. Many Ghanaians hold religious and traditional leaders in high regard, and any perceived disrespect towards them can have serious political consequences. Napo’s comments are likely aimed at capitalizing on this sentiment, urging voters to reject Mahama’s leadership in favor of a more respectful and humble approach.
As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen how these tensions will play out and whether Mahama will respond to the criticism. For now, Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s remarks serve as a clear warning to the former president: attacking religious and traditional leaders, even indirectly, may not sit well with the electorate, and could potentially hurt his chances at the polls.
With the 2024 elections looming, both the NPP and NDC are intensifying their campaigns, each seeking to win over voters by appealing to their values and concerns. For Napo and the NPP, respect for religious and traditional leaders has emerged as a central theme, and it is likely to be a recurring message as the campaign progresses.
