“This will come back to haunt them squarely when other political parties go same tangent” – Kwabena

In an Official Facebook Post on 12 October 2026, political commentator Cecil Kwabena criticized comments made by the Member of Parliament for Ejisu regarding the role of religion in political leadership. The remarks have generated widespread discussion, with many questioning whether religion should be a factor in political campaigns and electoral choices.

The controversy stems from a video shared online, in which the MP argued that he would prefer to vote for a Muslim who respects Christians rather than a non-Muslim who does not respect Christians. In making his point, he used Vice President and former NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as an example, suggesting that religious identity should not be the determining factor in electoral decisions if a candidate demonstrates respect for people of other faiths.

While some people agreed with the underlying message of religious tolerance, Cecil Kwabena expressed concern about what he described as the growing tendency to introduce religion into political communication. According to him, once political actors begin using religious identity as part of campaign messaging, they risk creating a dangerous precedent that could eventually divide the country along religious lines.

“This will come back to haunt them squarely when other political parties go on the same tangent,” Cecil Kwabena warned. He argued that political parties must be extremely careful not to normalize religious considerations in electoral campaigns because the long-term consequences could be harmful to national unity.

Ghana has traditionally been praised as one of the most religiously tolerant countries in Africa. Muslims and Christians have coexisted peacefully for decades, with many families including members of both faiths. Political observers often point to this harmony as one of the country’s greatest strengths.

For that reason, analysts note that any attempt to frame political contests around religion is usually viewed with caution. Many believe elections should be fought on policies, competence, leadership qualities, and vision for national development rather than religious affiliation.

Cecil Kwabena questioned whether such comments were part of a broader communication strategy aimed at influencing voters. In his view, even if the intention was to promote religious tolerance, the language used could encourage future political actors to adopt similar approaches for partisan advantage.

The comments have generated mixed reactions online. Some have defended the MP, arguing that his statement was not about promoting religion in politics but rather about encouraging voters to judge candidates by their character and respect for others. Others agree with Cecil Kwabena and believe politicians should avoid introducing faith into campaign discussions altogether.

At the heart of the debate is a broader question about the future of political communication in Ghana. Many citizens worry that once religion becomes a prominent factor in electoral messaging, political competition could gradually shift away from issues of governance and development toward identity politics.

For Cecil Kwabena, the concern is not necessarily about one statement but about the precedent it may establish. His warning that “this will come back to haunt them squarely when other political parties go on the same tangent” reflects fears that today’s political advantage could become tomorrow’s national problem.

As discussions continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance Ghana has maintained over the years between faith and politics, and why many citizens believe that balance should be protected at all costs.

Source: Cecil Kwabena, Official Facebook Post, 12 October, 2026.