General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has showered praises on the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev Asante for condemning recent remarks by the NPP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on religious imbalance atthe Flagstaff House.
According to him, the Peace Council has indeed shown its readiness to maintain peace in the country during, before and after the 2016 elections.
While addressing party supporters last week at a village in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region, Dr. Bawumia, vice presidential candidate of the NPP, said the Flagstaff House - the seat of Ghana’s Presidency - does not reflect the people of Ghana in terms of religion.
“In this country, we are living peacefully and nicely Muslims and Christians. So we believe in the NPP that Christians and Muslims should work together and that is why whenever we pick a president as a Christian, we pick a Muslim as a vice.
"And when we come and pick a Muslim as a President, we will pick a Christian as a vice. So if, Insha Allah, Nana Akufo-Addo becomes president, he will swear with the Bible and enter the Flagstaff House and I will swear with the Qur'an and enter the Flagstaff House,” said Nana Akufo-Addo's running mate.
But some have described his comments as needless.
Chairman of the National Peace Council says Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's suggestion that there is no religious balance at the Presidency are unnecessary and unfortunate.
According to Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana did not even paint a true picture of what pertains in Ghana’s political terrain.
Commenting on the issue on Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Asiedu Nketia said: “I will commend the National Peace Council for condemning Dr. Bawumia over his religious comment; I think this is the way to go in the country.”
He however declined to condemn Dr. Bawumia as he believes the response from the National Peace Council is enough to address the issue; but urged the Economist Mogul to admit he erred over his religious imbalance comment.