Religious diversity must not become a source of conflict – Peace Council

The National Peace Council has called upon Ghanaians to safeguard the country's religious diversity, warning that differences in faith should not become a source of conflict. They stress the importance of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. George Amoh, the Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, made this statement on behalf of the Peace Council Chairman at an engagement between the Inspector-General of Police and religious leaders in Accra. The meeting came after a series of incidents that heightened religious tensions in the country.

Amoh praised the Police for their quick response to these incidents, emphasizing the critical role of state institutions in containing potential conflicts before they escalate. However, he cautioned that these recent events are merely a test of the nation's peace and that disagreements and acts of deviance are to be expected in any growing society. The key to managing such situations, according to Amoh, lies in effective mechanisms rather than resorting to more violence.

He urged citizens to resort to dialogue and lawful processes to resolve disputes, asserting that violence is never a suitable response to violent conduct. Amoh highlighted Ghana's success in integrating people of various religious, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds into one nation. This diversity is evident in the country's democratic institutions and constitutional arrangements, and it should continue to serve as a foundation for unity.

Amoh urged both Christians and Muslims to acknowledge that their differences do not negate their shared national identity and responsibility to protect Ghana's peace. He stressed that safeguarding the country's peace requires collective responsibility from the Police, religious leaders, state institutions, and ordinary citizens.