*Plans To Fan Ethnic & Religious Conflict In The North To Undo the Prez. *

With President John Mills dead and gone to eternal glory, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has started re-strategizing against President John Mahama, the man likely to lead to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the December Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which is 108 days away.

However, excerpts of a document prepared by the NPP, and in the custody of The Herald reveal that the party intends fanning ethnic and religious conflict in the North as its strategy to undermine President Mahama’s government and cause him disaffection.

The document specifically noted that “settler communities such as the Konkomba’s Basaris and Kotokoli’s among others who are largely in the eastern corridor and who have had their share of problems with the Gonja’s must be given a major role”.

According to the NPP, “The nomination of President John Mahama as the NDC Presidential candidate for the 2012 elections changes the dynamics and brings new challenges to us as party”.

“We should be reminded of how the relatively unknown Dr. Hilla Liman took the political scene by storm in the 3rd Republic”, the document said.

It said “The likelihood is for the three northern regions to vote en-bloc for John Mahama out of pride and, simply because he is a northerner than on merit. Countervailing strategies need to be adopted to neutralize him ensure our victory. It is in this spirit that following suggested strategies have been put up:

The three northern regions have their ethno/religious dynamics that sharply divide and affect inter-ethnic relations. These dynamics need to be studied and subtly exploited to our benefit. For this to be effective, however, there is the urgent need for a thorough study of the voting patterns of the major ethno/religious groups over the past elections, especially the fortunes of our party over the years”.

It cited “a few examples will suffice. The pride of place in the political ladder of the Dagomba’s who are largely Muslim vs the Gonjas who are also largely Muslim, will be affected by the elevation of John, a Gonja, to the high office of Prez”.

The party asked that “The most influential and elderly Dagomba persons in the party must be immediately set to work” while “The most influential and respected Gonja, Guan leaders in the party will also have to be set to work to at least chip at his stronghold. For instance, East Gonja has a lot of representation in our party. They should be put to work”.

“Settler communities such as the Konkombas Basaris, Kotokoli’s among others who are largely in the eastern corridor and who have had their share of problems with the Gonja’s must be given a major role”, it said.

Furthermore, “Northern Christian leaders of mostly Upper West and Upper East origins must be given major roles to gunner support as their areas may be the most risky in terms of vote loss due to their Christian affinities”.

Additionally, “The flagship programme of Mr. Maharna as Vice was the SADA. A critical study of the Subject shows, it has been totally a failure; however propaganda has been largely used to promote the project. A consistent sensitization through radio, TV, public forums and demonstrations which were started has to be reignited in the three northern regions”.

“Corruption matters such as Amajaro, Embria, stx, Ibrahim’s Plane and the opinion actions on the new Prez on Woyome, CP, ISOFOTON, AAL, ROCKSHELL will have to be the focus,” the NPP said.

More so, “Northerners in the communications team should be considered for frontline roles on TV and radios of major networks. Senior northern statesmen and academics within the party should be representing the party on higher platforms on economic, political and social matters”.

“The most effective and abrasive communicators of both northern and southern origins should be sent on regular basis, to the three northern regions for a week or two to be on their networks”, the document said.

It concluded that “The northern parliamentary caucus, the northern party elders and statesmen and certain opinion leaders and main party persons should be tasked to bring a plan on the strengths and weaknesses of Mahama and the way forward. Makes it look all inclusive”.