Zongo For NDC (ZNDC) Condemns Dr Mahmudu Bawumia's Divisive Comments 

Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

5th April 2016. ACCRA - The National Executive Council of Zongo for NDC joins the ruling party the NDC, the National Peace Council, the Christian Council of Ghana, and all other well meaning Ghanaians in condemning in no uncertain terms Dr. Mahumudu Bawumia's divisive, dangerous, reckless and highly unfortunate comments about the so-called religious imbalance at the Flagstaff House.

It is important to remind Dr Bawumiah that Ghana is a peaceful country, and that the two major religions of Christianity and Islam have been co-existing peacefully since the attainment of independence. He must also be reminded that such reckless and unfortunate comments coming from a high profile political figure like himself does not only divide a peaceful nation like ours, but also has the ability to cause instability throughout the country.

At a time when the whole sub-region is working hard to fight religious extremists and terrorists, the last thing we need in this country is for any politician to make such an unfortunate comments to unsuspecting Ghanaians.

It is now very clear that Dr Bawumiah, who is the darling of the NPP on economic issues, has totally lost the debate on the state of the economy of Ghana. And, therefore, he has now decided to enter the realm of cheap religious bigotry as his new campaign message to Ghanaians.

We wish to remind Ghanaians that the NDC as party has been at the forefront of championing the cause of Muslims in Ghana over the years. Ghanaians will recall that it was an NDC administration that made the very important Islamic Festivals of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr as statutory public holidays in the country. It is also under an NDC administration that the Ghana Education Service established the Islamic Education Unit to coordinate and support the activities of Islamic schools in Ghana. And during this years' State of the Nation address to Parliament, H.E. President John Dramani Mahama announced for the commencement this year of the first Islamic College of Education in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Furthermore, during the past administration of the NPP who had a Muslim Vice President, Muslims became the laughing stock in the country due to the humiliation and in-humane conditions they find themselves during Hajj periods. However, it took an NDC administration under the able leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama to restructure the whole organization of Hajj in Ghana. Today we have the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana that Muslims are very proud of when it comes to the organization of Hajj.

It is also on record that Muslims and the people of Zongo communities feel safe and well-recognized under NDC administrations than under the administrations of the UP traditions. The Aliens Compliance Act that humiliated Muslims and the people of Zongo communities by referring to them as aliens and foreigners, and who were eventually sacked from the country is still fresh in our minds.

Dr Bawumiah and the NPP cannot deceive Muslims and the people of Zongo communities with such cheap divisive and dangerous comments. Muslims in Ghana have absolutely no problem living under an NDC administration that is focus on championing their cause in the country. Muslims in Ghana are law abiding citizens who believe in the concept of separation of religion and the governance of the country. The constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy is an important guide and a reminder that regional balance, and not religious balance should be the prime consideration in the appointment of public office holders.

We wish therefore to advice Dr Bawumiah and the NPP to focus on the main issues that will help move Ghana forward and eschew such divisive and dangerous comments.

God bless our homeland Ghana.
Signed
Zeinab Alhassan
National Communications Director
054-5540001
Issah Ali
Zongo for NDC (ZNDC)
National Headquarters (HQ)
Mobile: 024-4057950
Telephone: 030-3934021
WhatsApp: 026-4057950
E-mail: [email protected]