For years, northern Ghana, particularly its men, have been saddled with a stereotype that paints them as violent, uneducated, and abusive, depriving their wives and daughters of basic human rights. This perception has been fueled by unfortunate episodes in the region’s history, where communities and tribes, in moments of conflict, chose violence over dialogue.

Indeed, there have been instances such as the chieftaincy crisis in Dagbon, the Nanumba-Kokomba violence, and the ongoing curfew in Bawku. There are still security concerns in Bimbila, too. While these events remain dark chapters in Ghana’s history, they are not unique to the northern regions alone. Other parts of the country have had their own share of similar crises. This is not to justify the violence or unrest in the north but to emphasize that such occurrences are not exclusive to that part of the country.

The people of northern Ghana are, by nature, tenacious. Unfortunately, some have channelled this tenacity into destructive paths, leading to the violent clashes we’ve witnessed. The upcoming 2024 presidential election offers a significant opportunity to change the narrative—either by proving that northern Ghana is capable of peaceful political contestation, or by further validating the stereotype of violence through destructive conduct.

Twelve candidates will be on the ballot for the December 7 elections, but the contest is widely expected to be a two-horse race between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Notably, both front-runners hail from the northern regions, and both have ties to both Islam and Christianity.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, a practising Muslim, is seeking to succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo. While his faith is central to his identity, Bawumia has also spoken openly about his Christian upbringing, recalling his time in the Methodist Youth Brigade. He has frequently mentioned his childhood memories of waving at his mother as she passed his father’s house during the group’s performances. These experiences, Bawumia suggests, have shaped his integration into the Christian community, and his public visits to churches are seen by some in the Muslim community as a display of religious weakness. Yet, for Bawumia, these gestures reflect his liberal view on religion and his desire for peaceful coexistence across faiths.

John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s candidate, has a similarly complex relationship with religion. He was born into a Muslim family, with his father being a devout Muslim and a close associate of Ghana’s National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu. Mahama converted to Christianity, though he has never publicly stated the reasons for his religious transition. Despite the potential backlash from some Muslim communities, Mahama has remained a popular figure within the Muslim population. His communication skills, ability to speak the language of the people, and his close relationship with the Chief Imam have all played a part in maintaining his strong ties with the Muslim community. In one memorable moment, Mahama recited a verse from the Quran at an event attended by both himself and Vice President Bawumia, who jokingly referred to him as “Mallam John.”

Both Bawumia and Mahama, regardless of their religious backgrounds, have demonstrated a commitment to religious tolerance. This is perhaps best exemplified by the fact that the two major political parties, NPP and NDC, are fielding two northern brothers—both with Islamic and Christian backgrounds—as their presidential candidates. It is an unprecedented moment in Ghana’s political history and a testament to the resilience of northern Ghana’s people, who have often been misunderstood.

However, there is concern, based on intelligence reports, that Ghana may be heading toward its most turbulent election since independence. The potential for violence is worrying, particularly as it is driven by political ambitions to secure the presidency at all costs. What is especially troubling is that this violence may occur at a time when, for the first time in the nation’s history, two brothers from the north are vying for the presidency.

If these two brothers succumb to external pressures and allow their supporters to escalate political tensions to the point of bloodshed, it would confirm the very stereotype that northern Ghanaians have worked so hard to shake off. The violence would not only threaten the integrity of Ghana’s democracy but would reduce northern Ghana to a political backwater, where future leadership opportunities may be forever out of reach.

If the December 7 elections turn violent, the stereotype of the northern people as violent will be cemented in the minds of Ghanaians and the world. It will no longer be a matter of prejudice; it will become a painful reality shaped by those who orchestrate violence for political gain.

To those from northern Ghana who find themselves caught up in the scheming and orchestrated violence of this election cycle: you are actively participating in the validation of this stereotype. You are helping to create a legacy that will haunt future generations, relegating northern Ghana to the sidelines of political influence for years to come.

Let it never be said that Ghana’s democracy was rattled only when two brothers from the north went head-to-head in the most significant political contest of our time. The stakes are high, but the path we choose will determine the future of our democracy—and whether we rise to the occasion or validate the harmful stereotypes that have plagued us for too long.