Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh prostrating in a palace in the Savannah Region.
In a fiery rally address in Damongo on November 7, NPP’s running mate, Dr. Yaw Opoku Prempeh delivered a controversial plea to Muslim voters, urging them to reject the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in December’s general election, labelling a vote for the opposition as “haram”—forbidden in Islam.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, a prominent MP for Manhyia South, did not mince words as he rallied against what he called the NDC’s “anti-Muslim record.” He specifically cited historical grievances, pointing fingers at the NDC’s demolition of two large mosques in Accra and Koforidua, which he claimed was a sign of the opposition’s indifference to Muslim communities.
“Dr. Bawumia himself has rehabilitated 21 mosques,” he reminded the crowd, asserting that the NPP has shown consistent support for Muslims, while the NDC has supposedly exploited them. “The only political party that broke down the number one mosque in Accra… that’s NDC for you,” he continued, blaming the opposition for using Muslims “only for votes.”
Dr Prempeh, who has previously campaigned on similar lines of religious loyalty, argued that even iconic structures like the Jubilee House reveal the NDC’s alleged disdain for Muslim communities. He alleged that the NDC leaders under former presidents Mills and Mahama avoided using Jubilee House because it stood near the Zongo neighbourhoods, traditionally Muslim communities.
He didn’t stop there, issuing a direct warning: “If you are a Muslim and you make a mistake to vote for NDC, it is Haram.” His remarks have since ignited a heated debate on social media and within religious groups, as both the NPP and NDC position themselves to court Ghana’s diverse voter base ahead of the 2024 polls.
The NDC has not yet issued a formal response, but supporters have denounced the remarks as divisive, while some community leaders worry this rhetoric could heighten tensions during a charged election season.
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