Claim: Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, asserted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) uses Muslims for votes and suggested that it would be “haram” (an abomination) for any Muslim living in Dagbon to support the party.
His comments have drawn widespread criticism, with many condemning them as divisive and inflammatory.
Verdict: True! DUBAWA’s checks showed that during a campaign tour in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in Dagbon and vote for the NDC would be sinning according to Islamic law.
The statements have been confirmed as accurate based on video evidence.
Full Text
A recent statement by Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate for the 2024 elections, has sparked widespread discussion across social media.
The controversy centres on claims that Dr Opoku Prempeh accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of harbouring anti-Muslim sentiments and urging Muslim communities not to vote for them.
During his visit to Yaa Naa Bukali Mahama II, Overlord of Dagbon in Yendi in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in the community and vote for the NDC would be committing haram (an abomination).
There has been a raging controversy over whether the vice presidential candidate made such a comment. There are also assertions that the comment was limited to Muslims who live in Dagbon.
Here are some of the comments;
However, comments on social media after NAPO’s speech are quoting “Muslims” who vote for the NDC will be committing haram, instead of “Muslims who live in Dagbon,” like NAPO originally said.
Reacting to NAPO’s speech, an X user, with the handle @KyeiMeshack, commented on Nov. 8, 2024:
“Running mate of the NPP, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), stated that if you’re a Muslim and you vote for the NDC, it is a haram.”
Additionally, a media outlet on X page, with the handle @UTVGhana, captioned NAPO’s speech, “If You Are A Muslim And You Vote For NDC, It Is Haram” – NAPO.”
Another media outlet on X page, with the handle @YopooNews, quoted the video of NAPO’s visit to the Overlord of Dagbon; “According to NAPO, if you’re a Muslim and you vote for NDC, it’s haram.”
The video being circulated transcribes as, “If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint, and you vote for NDC, it is a haram,” indicating that the message NAPO put across during his visit to the Overlord of Dagbon, was directed to the Muslims living in Dagbon and not all Muslims in Ghana.
Due to the sensitive nature of the comment and the attendant controversy, DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA analysed recent footage from a campaign rally in Dagbon in the Northern Region on Nov. 8, 2024, and can confirm that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, indeed incited Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for the opposition NDC.
“If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint and you vote for NDC, it is a haram.”
He called on the Muslim communities to stand with the NPP to transform their lives.
“By this, if you are an Imam and you pray for John Dramani Mahama to become President instead of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, it is a haram. NDC only uses Muslims for votes,” NAPO added.
Here is a breakdown of the statements:
1. Claim of “Haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for NDC
During his speech, Dr Opoku Prempeh described it as “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC, positioning his statement within religious terms to appeal to the Muslim electorate.
“So if you are a young person here, and you want a future for yourself, you want people to recognise where you come, and you come from Larabanga, God has already blessed you. You need the right leader. You need the right leader to make Larabanga and Damango what they should become.
“And that leader is nobody but Abu Jinapor and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. It is possible.” Listen from 3:12 to 3:48.
Conclusion
The claim that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh declared it “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC is true. Footage and records from his rally in the Northern Region substantiate these claims.
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