Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has described Ghana’s religious tolerance as the pivot around which the country’s enduring peace revolves.
He stated, “At the heart of Ghana’s peace is religious tolerance, which means interfaith coexistence and tolerance.”
According to him, Ghana has become a role model for religious tolerance and called for continuous coexistence between Muslim and Christian in the country.
The Vice President was addressing the congregation of the St. Paul Pro Cathedral of the Catholic Church in Sekondi this morning, ahead of the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi.
He was also in the Catholic Church to support former National Chairman of the NPP, Peter Mac-Manu, a member of the Church, who commissioned a special place he funded where the crucifix of Jesus has been placed in the auditorium.
Additionally, Mac Manu’s children renovated all the glass windows of the church, making them ultramodern.
Dr. Bawumia added that the universal desire for peace transcends religious differences and stressed that peace is fundamental to human existence.
He said, “When I visited the Vatican recently and met Pope Francis, he made it clear that the world admires Ghana’s religious tolerance.”
He further stated, “The Pope commended the harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians and called for continuous love between these two dominant religions in the country.”
He told the congregation that Muslims hold the Catholic’s Virgin Mary in high esteem, and in the Quran, she is the only female mentioned by name.
Peter Mac-Manu expressed joy that he had brought former President Kufuor and sitting President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Church in the past, adding, “And now, the Vice President and the next President of Ghana is in our church.”
He noted, “This shows that there is something good in our church.”
The Parish Priest of St. Paul Pro Cathedral of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Fr. Michael Blay Morkeh, indicated that Dr. Bawumia’s selection as the NPP’s flagbearer was divinely ordained.
He therefore prayed that God would fulfill the heart desires of the Vice President come December 7, 2024.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi