‘You can’t stop what God has ordained for Bawumia’ – Ghana Muslim Forum blasts Rev. Owusu Bempah

The Ghana Muslim Forum for Peace and Unity has fired back at Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah over his public opposition to the political ambitions of New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The Forum has argued that no individual has the power to determine who will become President of Ghana, insisting that political leadership ultimately rests with God and the will of the people.

In a strongly worded statement, the group said Rev. Owusu Bempah’s reported threat against Dr Bawumia was “hollow” and had no power to alter what God may have ordained.

‘You cannot stop what God has ordained’

The Muslim Forum based its position on passages from both the Holy Qur’an and the Bible.

It cited Qur’an 3:26, which speaks about God granting and taking away sovereignty, as well as Psalm 75:6-7 and Daniel 2:21, which refer to God raising and removing rulers.

The Forum argued that these scriptures demonstrate that Rev. Owusu Bempah cannot determine whether Dr Bawumia will become President.

“If God has destined that Dr Bawumia will be President, Rev Owusu Bempah cannot stop it. If God has destined that he will not be President, Rev Owusu Bempah cannot make it happen either,” the group stated.

Forum describes Bempah’s position as dangerous

The group further criticised what it described as an attempt to position the pastor as a gatekeeper of Ghana’s presidency.

According to the Forum, political leadership should not be reduced to religious threats or personal declarations, particularly in a country that prides itself on religious tolerance and peaceful political competition.

It warned against introducing religious bigotry into Ghana’s political discourse.

Bempah’s opposition to Bawumia

The controversy follows earlier comments by Rev. Owusu Bempah in which he openly declared his opposition to Dr Bawumia’s political ambitions.

According to reports, the pastor said he would not sit back and allow Bawumia to win political power, while also warning that he would curse anyone who voted for the NPP.

He reportedly linked his stance to grievances he has with the NPP.

The comments have since triggered reactions from individuals and groups sympathetic to Dr Bawumia.

Pro-Bawumia group also fires back

The Ghana Muslim Forum’s intervention is not the only response to Rev. Owusu Bempah.

A group calling itself the Action Movement for Bawumia has also accused the pastor of engaging in what it described as “psychological and pulpit blackmail” against the NPP flagbearer.

The group has urged him to stop his repeated attacks on Dr Bawumia, warning that his comments could have implications for Ghana’s religious and political harmony.

Meanwhile, the NPP Ashanti Regional Youth Wing has reportedly petitioned security authorities over allegations made by Rev. Owusu Bempah concerning Dr Nana Ayew Afriye and alleged plans to attack him and his church.

The youth wing has denied the allegations and described them as false and without foundation.

Religious tolerance becomes a major concern

The Ghana Muslim Forum has urged both Christians and Muslims to reject attempts to inject religious hostility into Ghana’s politics.

The group stressed that Ghana’s democratic system allows citizens to support or oppose political candidates freely, but such disagreements should not threaten the country’s longstanding religious coexistence.

Its intervention adds another dimension to the growing controversy surrounding Rev. Owusu Bempah’s comments about Dr Bawumia.

Bawumia’s 2028 ambition

Dr Bawumia is already positioning himself for the 2028 presidential election after securing the NPP’s presidential nomination.

His political journey has consequently become a major subject of public debate, with supporters defending his candidacy while opponents question his prospects of defeating the governing National Democratic Congress.

The latest religious controversy has now added another layer to the political conversation.

For the Ghana Muslim Forum, however, the matter is ultimately bigger than partisan politics.

Its position is that no pastor, politician or individual can single-handedly determine Ghana’s next President.

If God has ordained Dr Bawumia for the presidency, the Forum insists, no individual can stop it.