Former Deputy General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has labelled former President John Dramani Mahama a "religious harlot" for his close ties with the Muslim community despite being a Christian.

He made this statement after digging up a video of former President John Mahama reciting Islamic prayers with Muslims in April 2022.

Mr Anyidoho did so to address a recent issue of "religious tolerance" ahead of the country's next polls.

Discussions about the 2024 elections have primarily revolved around Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former president and 2024 flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Amidst this, Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George, has labeled the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as "a religious prostitute" due to his closeness with the Christian community despite being a Muslim.

This comment has faced condemnation, particularly from those in government, who argue that such statements risk breaking religious unity and tolerance in the country.

Wading into the conversation, Mr Anyidoho in a post on X on November 17, noted that Mr. Mahama is also complicit in the allegations levelled against Dr Bawumia by Mr Nartey George as history recounts him reciting Muslim prayers despite being a Christian.

"When you are a Leader and fail to rebuke the ill-bred children in your midst, you end up carrying the stench of the feces. Per what Sam George said about Veep Bawumia, then John Mahama too is a religious harlot for being a supposed Christian & reciting Muslim prayers," he wrote.

Meanwhile, former United Nations Envoy to West Africa and the Sahel Region, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, has advised Ghanaians to exercise caution regarding divisive religious and ethnic sentiments ahead of the 2024 general election.

Speaking at the "Empowering Citizens and Enriching Nation-Building" forum organized by Star Ghana at the British Council in Accra on Friday, November 10, Dr. Chambas stressed that the selection of the country's leaders should go beyond religious and ethnic considerations. He emphasized that citizens should evaluate political parties based on their messages, policy suggestions, and strategies for managing the nation's affairs.

He stated, “The commitment to the betterment of our country is a collective responsibility and must transcend political, religious, and ethnic boundaries. Unfortunately, we are seeing some divisive tendencies in our society, and we must all be careful about them, especially when we have elections in 2024. When it comes to election year, all our demons come out."

Dr. Chambas encouraged both citizens and political parties to prioritize issue-based campaigning for the upcoming 2024 general election.

"So please let us focus on messages when we are choosing our leaders in this country,” he emphasized.