Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia has proven beyond doubts both in words and in deeds to be an epitome of religious tolerance – a character trait that would strengthen multi-faith harmony and further unite Ghanaians if he becomes President; Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), has noted.
Naa Torshie made the remarks in an address with a cross section of church workers and Christian leaders within the Greater Accra Region during the first leg of a grassroots retail campaign she has embarked on to increate the votes of Dr. Bawumia in the Region.
Dr. Bawumia is the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some of his political rivals have raised questions about his Islamic faith.
But Naa Torshie, in response, has said the Islamic background of Dr. Bawumia should been seen more of a plus than a minus. She explained that Dr. Bawumia, though a Muslim, has grown up with Christians and even has siblings who are pastors.
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She noted further that even as a practicing muslim, Dr. Bawumia has demonstrated a lot of love and support for Christian communities and projects including the Weija Leprosarium where he is a patron.
Touching on religious tolerance, Naa Torshie reminded Ghanaians that the nation’s Constitution is for all citizens, not just Christians: “If you say you are a Christian and so you cannot vote for a Muslim to be president, then you are not practicing Christianity.”
Naa Torshie further indicated that Dr. Bawumia engages and relates so well with Christians and he will be a president for all without distinction.
To buttress her point, Naa Torshie stated that even England, a Christian country that introduced Christianity to Ghana had a Prime Minister called Rishi Sunak who was a Hindu: “What matters most is a leader that has the interest of the people at heart and ready to serve and lead with integrity and make things happen for the people.”
Naa Torshie encouraged citizens to reject religious intolerance and embrace all leaders, regardless of their faith.
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Using the example of a medical emergency, she pointed out that no one asks for blood from a specific religion when in need: “When you visit the hospital and you need blood, the blood you are given is not branded as a Christian blood or a Muslim blood.”
She said divisions based on religion should not influence the choice of president in the coming elections.
Bawumia Church Relationship
Dr. Bawumia has over the years explained his relationship with the body of Christ: “My relationship with the church is from childhood. It is not because I entered politics. I have been close to the church way before and will continue even after I leave office
“I am saying all these to let you know where my heart is – helping the poor, helping the vulnerable.”
He has recounted his membership of the Methodist Boys Brigade as a youth, a Christian organisation he continues to support just as how he supports the Catholic Church’s Weija Leprosarium.
Dr. Bawumia has explained his principles on Christian-Muslim relationship: “I don’t think that being a true Muslim means that you cannot get close to Christians. I don’t see how being a true Christian, you cannot get close to Muslims.”
He further explained: “Prophet Mohammed said to the Muslims that of all the religions and faiths of this world, Muslims should get closer to the Christians. That is what the Prophet Mohammed said and so I am very much comfortable and confident in getting close to Christians. My brothers and sister are Christians and I cannot say that I will not get close to them.
“There are many people who are uncomfortable with us [Muslims] getting closer [to Christians] and that is how jihadists and all of the extremists benefit. We are a peaceful country and we always get closer and so let us keep it that way,” Dr. Bawumia urged.
