Dr. Stephen Amoah, Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency, popularly known as Sticka has stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lost the 2024 general election because the party presented a Muslim candidate.
In a candid address to NPP TESCON members at Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Amoah revealed his shift in support towards Kennedy Agyapong as the party’s preferred flagbearer for the 2028 elections.
Dr. Amoah disclosed that during the 2024 NPP presidential primaries, he supported the incumbent Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, despite Kennedy Agyapong being his father.
He explained, “We went to the polls, and I didn’t support Hon. Kennedy Agyapong. Everybody knows this. In fact, he got angry with me. I told him I had made my decision two years prior and could not change my mind.”
He emphasized that his loyalty was to his principles and the party’s success rather than personal relationships.
“I told him, ‘You came late.’ He understands me, but later he was worried because he felt Sticka was my own son. I could have switched, but I didn’t do it,” he added.
Addressing concerns about tribalism, Dr. Amoah clarified that his comments are not meant to be tribalistic but are grounded in electoral realities.
He explained “After the election, what happened is that everybody has a constituency. If I am going to contest for any seat in the NPP or in Ghana, I will come on board with my constituency, and my constituency is the Ashanti Region. My constituency is the Akan communities; my constituency is the region that the Akans dominate.
“I don’t believe in tribalism because in our blood there is no such thing as tribe. Tribal issues are basically a result of evolution. In our blood and genes, we are the same; after all, God created Adam and Eve.”
He highlighted the alarming voter turnout statistics, noting that over two million expected NPP voters did not cast their ballots in the 2024 elections.
Dr. Amoah remarked “Eighty-four percent (84%) of the over two million people were from about five to six regions that were NPP strongholds. In our strongholds, 1.7 million did not vote. So, you are all students, ask yourselves, what were the reasons? If it had been only the economy, it cuts across all regions, then it means there were certain specific risk factors in those regions. Why can’t we identify them and find solutions?”
He continued “Of the five Northern regions, four voted against the NPP. It is not just me saying this; it is a fact. This is not tribal politics unless you are not afraid of God. Only one region had a difference of about 53,000 votes.”
Dr. Amoah pointed out that the Muslim communities, particularly in his constituency’s Zongo areas, largely voted against the NPP.
“In my constituency, all the Zongos, all the Muslim communities voted against NPP. This is a fact, not tribal politics,” he asserted.
He recounted his long-standing involvement with the Christ Covenant Church (CCC) and his personal challenges with religious leaders over political issues, underscoring the complexity of religion and politics in Ghana.
“My pastor and I have problems; I nearly left my church for the Pentecost. I was a Sunday school teacher for nine years and have been with CCC for over 40 years. My pastor’s friend is Otabil, so you know where he will be. This time, he told the Oforikrom MP not to come and use our platform. Let’s not lie to ourselves,” he recounted.
“I disagree with anybody who votes based on religion because the Bible says good things about Muslims,” Sticka stated emphatically.
He further revealed the religious tensions affecting voting behavior, saying, “But whether we like it or not, Christians hardly want to vote for a Muslim leader. It is a fact. If I am lying, let’s check it in my church I had a problem. Some pastors had actually set up WhatsApp groups before the election; we all know why are we lying to ourselves? Even though I disagree with them, it was a fact.”
Despite this, Dr. Amoah stressed that he personally disagrees with voting based on religion, citing biblical teachings that speak positively about Muslims.
However, he acknowledged the reality of religious bias in Ghanaian politics and called for a pragmatic approach to winning elections.
Dr. Amoah emphasized that it is time for the NPP to face reality, admit that presenting a Muslim candidate was a mistake, and work towards finding solutions instead of denying the problem.
He stated, “They don’t want us to say it, but at the very least, we should acknowledge that it is a problem. Only then can we find solutions rather than ignore it. How can you go to a doctor with problems in your knee, head, and stomach, and say, ‘Oh doctor, it’s only my head’ can you be cured? Even though I disagree with those who vote based on religion, the reality is that this belief influences voting behavior.”
““Until we reach the point in time when civilization has advanced enough for people to understand that religion has nothing to do with leadership, if I am going to make a decision, it must be one that ensures the NPP can win for us,” Dr. Amoah noted, that presenting a Muslim candidate signals that the NPP won’t win the election.
Looking ahead to election 2028, Dr. Amoah expressed his belief that Hon. Kennedy Agyapong is the candidate best positioned to lead the NPP to victory.
“So, I changed my mind because I believe the only party that can save Ghana despite sometimes making mistakes is the NPP.
“I was analyzing how we can win the 2028 election, and most people on the street were mentioning the name of this gentleman, Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong,” he said.
Dr. Amoah is convinced that Kennedy Agyapong is the key to reclaiming the presidency in 2028.
“People on the streets, in markets, taxi ranks, and even in Accra are talking about Kennedy,” he added.
He cautioned and recounted past battles, including disciplinary committees, intelligence agencies, and political opponents, and declared that he remains unshaken by any threats for endorsing Kennedy Agyapong.
“I have not committed any sin. They can beat me; people are texting me, but it’s a joke. When I was a child, I went to a foreign school and was taken to the disciplinary committee I won. At Opoku Ware, I also won at the disciplinary committee. I was taken to BNI and won, and at AMASS, I was taken to the disciplinary committee and won. I won all because I stand for the truth, and even if I am killed, I don’t care,” Sticka declared.
Source : www.kumasimail.com Kwadwo Owusu
