I see nothing wrong with Mahama’s ‘Do or Die’ – Rev. Owusu Bempah
The Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah says former President John Mahama’s use of the idiom ‘Do or Die’ to describe his perception of the 2024 general elections, does not connote anything untoward.
While he does not see anything wrong with the view, he thinks it should be taken in its proper context.
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Rev. Owusu Bempah who spoke with NEAT FM, used what he described as a cagey football match as the analogy to explain his position on the issue gaining notoriety as the most controversial topic in the passing week.
The former President who was also the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 elections used the idiom 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 of the people condemning it and demanding retraction, while others say it has nothing negative about it.
Rev. Owusu Bempah recalled his colts footballing days, saying in those times when they faced any ‘tough’ game or opposition, they described it as a ‘do or die’ affair which demanded that they do their best during the game. It never meant that they were to carry arms or implements onto the field of play or to kill anyone. It meant they needed adequate preparations to overcome the foe, he said.
He explained that when former President Mahama uses the idiom, what he means to say is that he needs to do his homework well to face the 2024 elections.
In the same vein, he said President Akufo-Addo can look to the 2024 elections as a do or die affair and that, in no way, should mean that someone should take up a machete to slaughter another.
Owusu Bempah said what he speaks is the bare truth and in instances when the idiom has been used, it has meant the user does not intend to joke with a situation as he may previously have joked with it, be it in a football match, an election or in an examination.
He said John Mahama did not say someone should pull a gun, or kill someone, or that the 2024 election would be bloody, but if he had said any of these, then it would be wrong.
Owusu Bempah counseled against taking statements at face value only, but said it pays to examine the motivation and real intent of the speaker because it could be he wants to pray fervently, prepare adequately, or put things right ahead of the elections.