Kofi Tonto has criticised comments attributed to Dr Stephen Amoah, popularly known as Stika, describing them as divisive and inconsistent with the responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, particularly within the context of the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer race.
Speaking on Metro TV’s morning programme Good Morning Ghana, hosted by Moro Awudu, Tonto took issue with claims that some pastors had cautioned against supporting a northern or Muslim presidential candidate on the campaign platform of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. He said such views, if presented to a sitting Member of Parliament, should have been firmly rejected.
According to Tonto, an MP represents a diverse constituency made up of Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and people of all backgrounds, and therefore has an obligation to defend inclusivity. He argued that by repeating the argument before party delegates, Dr Amoah appeared to legitimise religious and ethnic considerations in national leadership.
“If he accepts that as a valid argument and uses it on the campaign trail, then it suggests he believes in it,” Tonto said, adding that the position undermines the leadership potential of sections of the MP’s own constituency.
Responding on the programme, host Moro Awudu noted that Dr Amoah had previously defended his remarks by pointing to Ghana’s religious demographics. Dr Amoah reportedly argued that with Christians forming the majority, it is politically more difficult to market a non-Christian candidate nationwide.
The comments have reignited debate over the role of religion and regional identity in Ghana’s presidential politics.