Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia greeting Shiekh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, wants Ghanaians to carefully weigh the options being presented them ahead of the December 2024 elections to make an informed decision.
With that, he is confident they will be able to tell which of the political parties and candidates presenting themselves for election would best serve the interest of Ghanaians.
Dr. Bawumia, who is also the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has, therefore, entreated Ghanaians to pay attention to the ideas, policies and solutions in choosing a new President for Ghana.
He made the call during the Eid-ul-adha prayers held at the Black Star Square in Accra on Sunday June 16, 2024.
“As we go to the December polls, let’s make it about ideas and solutions to the problems of our country. We live as Muslims and Christians in harmony, and should not let this elections be about religion or religious differences,” he stated.
“We’re one people, one nation, and should let this election be about policies, ideas and solutions the respective candidates have for the country be the focus,” Dr. Bawumia stressed.
As the presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia asked for support and prayers from the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to ensure success in the polls.
He stressed the need to tolerate one another and not to allow the December 7 elections to jeopardise the peace and stability of the country.
The Vice President also urged all Muslims to be inspired by the sacrifice and selfless act of Prophet Ibrahim to serve humanity with care and kindness.
He asked all Muslims to be inspired by prophet Ibrahim’s incredible service of obedience and sacrifice to God as they observe Eid-ul-adha, the festival of sacrifice.
“Let us always be inspired by his act of selflessness and sacrifice by caring for each other, and also sacrifice for a worthy cause for the betterment of families and communities,” he stated.
The Vice President, thus, wished all Muslims Eid Mubarak and advised the youth in particular to observe the festivities in modesty.
On the performance of the Akufo-Addo-led government, the Vice President acknowledged the economic challenges occasioned by the global events, noting that due to the prudent measures instituted, the economy was gradually recovering from the economic moribund.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted some of the policies the government had implemented so far like the free Senior High School, free TVET, skills training and entrepreneurial empowerment, as well as creating 2.1 million jobs over the past seven years, the highest in the 4th Republic.
The Zongo Development Fund, he said, had also improved social amenities in zongo communities including water facilities, drainage system, astro turfs, bridges and classroom blocks while 40 Muslim students were offered education scholarships to study medicine abroad.
In a speech read on his behalf, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu underscored the need for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence amongst all the religious faiths in the country.
He kicked against any acts of religious extremism, conflicts and violence before, during and after the December 7 polls.
He entreated all Muslim youth to observe the laws regulating the polls and urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to be free, fair and transparent with its electoral processes.
To the security agencies, the Chief Imam urged them to be professional in their deals with the political parties and the electorate.
Eid-ul-adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide for three to four days.
The Feast of Sacrifice originates from the historic event when Prophet Abraham or Ibrahim was commanded by God in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ishmail (Isaac). While he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.
The National Eid Planning Committee presented a citation to Dr. Bawumia for his immense contributions and support towards the organisation of the annual Eid prayers.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent