Bishop Dr Agyei Lawson urges religious leaders to use their influence to protect Ghana’s peace

Bishop Dr Agyei Lawson, representing the Christian community and chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, has called upon religious leaders to leverage their influence to foster tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence in Ghana, as the nation grapples with recent religious tensions stemming from a controversial comment made by a pastor about Prophet Muhammad.

At an event involving the Inspector-General of Police and police management board alongside religious leaders, he emphasized the importance of dialogue and mutual respect during heightened religious sensitivities. "Ghana is a nation blessed with religious diversity, and our ability to live together in peace remains one of our greatest strengths," Bishop Lawson stated.

He highlighted the significant responsibility that religious leaders hold over their congregations and communities, urging them to promote understanding and unity. The pastor's arrest followed the viral circulation of a video where he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad, sparking strong reactions and concerns over the impact on interfaith relations.

Bishop Lawson stressed that religious diversity should be embraced as a source of strength, not division, and encouraged religious leaders to reject intolerance, hate speech, provocation, and violence. Instead, he advocated for dialogue and peaceful coexistence, urging both Christian and Muslim communities to reject conduct that deepens religious divisions.

He emphasized that religious affiliation should not overshadow the shared national identity of Ghanaians. The statement emphasized national unity as crucial in addressing the religious controversy, with Bishop Lawson highlighting the importance of continued cooperation between religious institutions and the police to maintain peace and public confidence.