The Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Tanko Computer, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against promoting ethnicity and religion in its flagbearer race, warning that such tactics could make the party unattractive to many Ghanaians.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 30, Mr. Tanko-Computer said politics should be about competence and ideas, not tribal or religious background.
“Ethnicity is not good for us in this country. Let’s focus on the candidates, what they are bringing to the table, not where they are coming from. Some have already started attacking the established candidate based on his background,” he said.
He cited the late President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills as an example, explaining that the NDC supported him despite initial setbacks because of his competence.
“We brought Prof. Atta Mills from the Central Region, a very large political landscape. In the 2000 elections, he lost; in 2004, his own people did not vote for him. But we persisted, and in 2008, he won massively. So let’s stop this ethnicity thing and focus on the strength of the person,” he added.
Mr. Tanko-Computer further questioned whether the NPP’s current rhetoric implied that people from certain regions, particularly the North, could never become president on the party’s ticket.
“Otherwise, what we are seeing now—are they trying to say anyone from the North cannot become president under the NPP? This kind of approach makes their party look unattractive to Northerners,” he said.
He also raised concerns about religion being introduced into politics, describing it as a dangerous path.
“Religion is not an issue in this country, but the NPP is hyping it. They are saying Zongo people voted against Bawumia in 2024, and therefore, he shouldn’t be considered again. They are bringing back that divisive narrative,” he warned.
According to him, the NDC has consistently advised the NPP to avoid such tactics.
“We warned them. The NDC as a political party warned them to stop it; it’s not good. The Christian-Muslim thing doesn’t work. Let’s focus on competence,” Mr. Computer said.
Source: Clara Seshie
