The NPP is Ghana’s largest opposition political party
A concerning national risk is emerging within our party: high-profile candidates and members are increasingly endorsing religious and tribal sentiments in their pursuit of political power, to govern and develop Ghana.
Unfortunately, these proponents view such divisions as effective campaign messages, believing an individual’s popularity can overshadow the entire NPP.
They lose sight of a fundamental truth: a strong political party elevates any candidate to the presidency. Yes, the NPP Party’s support is always bigger and stronger than any individual’s support.
We must recognize that strong internal voices within a political party:
* Constantly speaking against a candidate directly undermines the party’s electoral prospects. This is a fact.
* Blaming only the candidate for an election loss, even when they’ve worked diligently, profoundly weakens party cohesion.
Furthermore, profound internal divisiveness and disunity, born from extreme individual interests rather than collective ambition, render a political party inherently problematic in all elections, regardless of who leads it.
Let it be known and marked as a paramount caution: the NPP must not be the party that thrusts religion and tribe to the frontlines and headlines of our national politics. Instead, the NPP should champion leadership competence and national cohesion across all religious and ethnic lines.
We must always be reminded of our motto, “DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM,” and recognize that this freedom includes the right to choose one’s religion.
Therefore, we cannot penalize or discriminate against any party member based on their faith when it comes to leadership aspirations.
We must internalize and educate ourselves on the profound damage tribal and religious sentiments have inflicted upon numerous nations.
As a modern party equipped with this knowledge, the NPP’s duty is to educate Ghanaians and our members against these divisive sentiments, actively fostering national cohesion. We must never become the platform for weak politicians who rely on religious, tribal, and ethnic divisions to garner support. Such a path will inevitably yield negative consequences for the nation we strive to develop.
The Critical Questions!
I pose these questions to those who advocate selecting candidates based on religious grounds:
* If we select a “Christian” candidate while consciously sidelining a “Muslim” candidate via a religious campaign, will the chosen NPP non-Muslim candidate realistically be able to campaign effectively in mosques and Muslim communities?
* What message would this send to all non-Christian religious groups across the country?
* Are political parties designed to prepare the population for heaven, or to foster righteousness in the eyes of God?
If not, why should religion be a criterion for candidate selection? If so, why don’t we simply appeal to one of our great religious leaders to be our candidate?
* If we demand a “Christian” leader, which of the countless Christian denominations would qualify? Catholic? Methodist? Assemblies of God? Latter-Day Saints? Jehovah’s Witnesses? Pentecost? Church of Christ? Or even ‘Our own Agrada’s Church’?
* What precise level of Christian faith or righteousness would we even seek?
Our Constitution has already answered these complicated questions for us: Ghana is unequivocally a Secular State.
Our foundational document recognizes that true strength lies in unity, and this unity fundamentally includes religious harmony. Let us nurture this principle. We must not fall into the politically naive trap of religious division; it will not end well for our party or our beloved nation.
Let the NPP unequivocally emphasize competence and credibility, aligning with the constitutionally secular nation we are.
By doing so, we will collectively lead the charge in developing our dear nation.
#NPPForGhana #CompetenceOverCreed #NationalUnity
#EffiakumaVoice
