There’s nothing wrong with Mahama’s “do or die” statement – Rev. Owusu Bempah

Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah, the founder of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, has said he founds nothing contextually wrong with former President John Mahama’s use of ‘Do or Die’ in describing his expectations of the 2024 general elections.

The pro-government Rev. Owusu-Bempah offered his surprise defence of the opposition leader in an interview on Accra-based Neat FM on Friday, September 10.

According to the Christian preacher, it was necessary to contextualise what the former president said. In that way, one would come to realise the 2020 election flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) meant no harm.

“In a football match, for instance, one could use “do or die” in anticipating a must-win tough game. In that context, that saying has no relation with violence,” the reverend said.

Rev. Owusu-Bempah offered analysis from his own connection to colts football where the expression was used abundantly and no violence was meant.

“John Mahama did not ask anyone to show up with a gun [on the day of elections in 2024]. If he did, that would have been wrong but he seems to be only anticipating a keenly contested election,” Rev. Owusu-Bempah argued.

Rev. Owusu-Bempah, who serves on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Board under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, also explained that he thinks President Nana Akufo-Addo and the ruling party also invariably believe the next election is a “do or die” affair.

The former president used the expression during a radio interview on Techiman-based Akina FM, during his ‘Thank You’ tour of the Bono East Region.

It has since been tossed about, with some in the general public, mostly from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) condemning it and demanding a retraction, while others say it has nothing negative about it.

The former president has continued to defend himself and the comment, making it a point to disconnect “do or die” from “all die be die” as declared by then-candidate Akufo-Addo prior to the 2012 election.