The government has pledged to deal firmly with individuals or groups whose comments incite violence and threaten the country’s peace and security.
The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, gave the assurance during a meeting with the Governing Body of the National Muslim Conference of Ghana in Accra on Sunday.
The engagement was organised to explore lasting solutions to inflammatory remarks by some individuals that could fuel religious violence and undermine national peace.
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak said the government would uphold the law fairly and without discrimination, stressing that anyone who crossed the line would face the full rigour of the law, regardless of religious affiliation.
He said crime would be treated as crime, adding that whether the offender was Muslim, Christian or of any other faith, justice would be applied equally.
The minister also praised the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuru Sharubutu, and the Muslim community for the maturity they displayed in helping to resolve the recent controversy involving comments made by an Islamic cleric and a Christian apostle.
He noted that preserving Ghana’s peace was even more critical at a time when four of the 10 countries most affected by terrorism were located within the West African sub-region.
In his welcome address, the General Secretary of the National Muslim Conference of Ghana, Alhaji Baba Mohammed Inusah, commended the Interior Minister for his contribution to the establishment of the conference and his continued commitment to promoting peace.
He urged participants to focus on finding enduring solutions to inflammatory comments by religious leaders rather than dwelling on past disagreements.
Alhaji Inusah said the meeting was not intended to create arguments or reopen old wounds but to move the country to the next stage of its growth and development through dialogue and mutual respect.
The meeting was attended by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno; members of the Police Management Board (POMAB); advisers to the Interior Minister; the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu; and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuru Sharubutu.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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