Michael Donyina Mensah, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), has warned that any attempt by a politician, group, or individual to encourage people to vote based on tribal and religious sentiments poses a threat to Ghana’s democracy.

He argued that if we continue to play the tribal and religious cards in our elections, Ghana’s development will be stalled.

He claimed that research has shown that campaigning along those lines denies people the necessary transformation to improve their living conditions.

He said it also denies us an opportunity to elect competent, accountable, credible and leaders with integrity to lead the country.

“Voting along tribal and religious lines is unhealthy and detrimental to our development and democracy. According to research, voting along tribal and religious lines prevents our elected leaders from providing the necessary development or transformation. If you vote for someone because he or she is from your tribe or religious group without considering the candidate’s competence and integrity, they will be unable to hold themselves accountable to the public. Voting along those lines is not objective, but rather sentimental, and it blinds you to what you should expect from our leaders.”

He has therefore advised Ghanaian voters to stick to workable policies, the integrity and credibility of candidates who file to contest in our elections, and to vote for those who will be accountable, dedicated, and discharge their duties in accordance with national unity, fiscal discipline, and adherence to the constitution.

Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow radio 87.5FM, Mr. Donyina Mensah argued that as a people seeking improvement, we have a responsibility to vote against people who lack the ability to manage our country, even if we are affiliated with them.

He said the framers of the constitution were also mindful of this and designed laws that prevented people from forming political parties based on tribal and religious lines, "but we have this going on. We have some political parties that favour certain tribes over others, and it is our responsibility as a country to put an end to this as soon as possible if we are to develop.

“That is why we are encouraging Ghanaians to vote for candidates who have the competence to manage the country, rather than those who are associated with them along tribal and religious lines.” We must do this to avoid delaying our country’s progress. It is also unfortunate that some of our chiefs are endorsing politicians, which the constitution has deemed unconstitutional.”