The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rationalized comments made by the party's vice-presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, condemned as inflammatory.

Nana Akomea on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Monday, said the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party was making a case for balance and inclusion in the national political leadership of the country.

Addressing party supporters in the Sissala East constituency in the Upper West Region over the weekend, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the seat of the current NDC government does not adequately mirror the two dominant religious groups in Ghana.

He then urged them to vote for the NPP in the upcoming elections to bring religious balance to the presidency.

“...In this country, we are living peacefully and nicely Muslims and Christians. So we believe in the NPP that Christians and Muslims should work together and that is why whenever we pick a president as a Christian, we pick a Muslim as a vice."

"And when we come and pick a Muslim as a president, we will pick a Christian as a vice. So if Insha Allah, Nana Akufo-Addo becomes president, he will swear with the Bible and enter the Flagstaff and I will swear with the Quran and enter the flagstaff House,” 

"So that when we combine the Quran and the Bible, Ghana will be the major beneficiary. The blessings of God will be upon Ghana if we have the two religions are in the castle," he ended.

His comments have since aroused condemnation from the general public.

But Nana Akomea insists the intention of the comments of the vice presidential candidate is to promote religious balance at the presidency.

"Bawumia didn't say don't vote for somebody because he is not a Muslim. He is saying that if we have a balanced ticket in terms of religion, he thinks it will be better for the country."

"He may have said something that may arouse legal sentiments and if that is the case then we are all learning as we move forward but all of us talk about having ethnic balance in our political appointments, don't we?"  Mr Akomea quizzed.

Kofi Adams condemns ‘silly’ Bawumia comment

NDC National Organiser has condemned NPP Vice-Presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for suggesting a Muslim is needed at the seat of government to restore religious balance.

Kofi Adams described the economist’s religious take as “silly talk that should have no place in Ghana’s politics”.

Kofi Adams explained that despite the NPP with a Christian flagbearer and Muslim vice-presidential candidate, the largest opposition party is a "divided", "chaotic" party. He suggested that a Christian-Muslim ticket is not a guarantee for national cohesion or development.

"Is Nana Addo not a Christian? Is Bawumia not a Muslim? Why is the NPP in disarray?" he criticised. Kofi Adams explained that Muslims have enjoyed greater expression of their worship under a Christian president.

He argued that President Jerry John Rawlings granted Muslim religious festivals holiday status. "Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha was done when Christians were both president and vice-president", he referred Bawumia.

Kofi Adams observed again that even the Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj has been "better organised" under Christian President, John Mahama and Christian Vice-President, Amissah-Arthur than it was arranged under an NPP administration of  a Christian President, John Kuffour and Muslim Vice-President, Aliu Mahama.

He said the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana is short of messages for Ghanaians and is, therefore, resorting to religious politics.

"All his economic theories, following President Mahama's Accounting to the People's tour [have] been thrown off so he has no message again when it comes to the economy so he must move to these other areas which will not help him," he indicated.