The Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has emphasized that competence, not religion, should be the primary criterion for choosing a candidate in an election.
He asserted that a candidate’s ability to bring prosperity to the people should be the determining factor in an election.
Speaking to artisans and delegates of the NPP in the Manhyia South constituency in Manhyia on Friday, October 27, 2023, Dr. Prempeh highlighted Ghana’s long history of peaceful coexistence among all religions.
He expressed concern over the potential dangers of introducing religious factors into elections, whether at the party’s internal level or on a national scale.
Dr. Prempeh shared a personal example, stating that he was named after a Muslim, and the Regional Chief Imam of the Ashanti Region is his brother.
“I, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, was named after a Muslim, and the Regional Chief Imam of the Ashanti Region is my brother. This should tell you that in my family, some are Christians and some are Muslims. This situation also exists in many families. It is therefore unacceptable to create partitions and divisions on religious lines.
“The unfortunate global happenings have made governments across the world unpopular, however, the record will show that we have performed better even under these circumstances,” he said.
He explained that in many families, a diversity of religions exists, making it unacceptable to create divisions along religious lines.
The Manhyia South lawmaker encouraged NPP members to take pride in the government’s achievements over the past seven years and to actively support the party.
He acknowledged that the global challenges have made governments around the world less popular, but he also stressed that the NPP has demonstrated effective governance even under these circumstances.
Dr. Prempeh argued that the NPP has managed the economy more effectively than the John Mahama-led NDC and expressed confidence in the NPP’s prospects for success in the December 2024 elections.
He urged the delegates of Manhyia South to exercise their democratic rights peacefully on November 4, 2023, emphasizing that party unity is crucial for a decisive NPP victory in 2024.