The National Peace Council has urged Ghanaians to protect the country’s religious diversity and ensure that differences in faith do not become a source of conflict.
The Council stressed the importance of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in maintaining Ghana’s stability, particularly in the wake of recent incidents that have heightened religious tensions.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Council, the Council’s Executive Secretary, George Amoh, said Ghana’s religious and cultural diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a weakness that could be exploited to destabilise the country.
Mr Amoh made the remarks during an engagement between the Inspector-General of Police and religious leaders at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Friday, August 14.
He commended the Ghana Police Service for its swift response to recent incidents, saying the intervention demonstrated the importance of state institutions having the capacity to contain potentially volatile situations before they escalate into serious conflicts.
He, however, cautioned against assuming that the recent developments would be Ghana’s final test in maintaining peace.
According to him, disagreements, tensions and acts of deviance are inevitable in any developing society, making it necessary for the country to establish and maintain effective mechanisms for managing such situations when they arise.
Mr Amoh stressed that provocative or violent conduct should not be met with further violence.
“Violence cannot be used to respond to violent conduct,” he said, urging citizens to rely on dialogue, tolerance and lawful processes to resolve grievances.
He noted that Ghana had successfully brought together people from different religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds under one national identity.
According to him, the country’s diversity is reflected in its democratic institutions and constitutional framework and should continue to serve as a foundation for national unity.
Mr Amoh also urged Christians and Muslims to recognise that differences in their religious beliefs do not prevent them from sharing a common national identity and a collective responsibility to protect Ghana’s peace.
He emphasised that safeguarding the country’s peace requires the commitment of all stakeholders, including the Police Service, religious leaders, state institutions and ordinary citizens.
He called on Ghanaians to strengthen dialogue and mutual respect to ensure that religious differences remain a source of diversity rather than division.
