Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has called for deeper interfaith collaboration and sustained efforts to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in Ghana. She made the call on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, at the TOSM Peaceful Coexistence Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Sowah acknowledged the Church of Pentecost for hosting the timely interfaith dialogue and commended the participation of leaders from diverse religious backgrounds.
“In a world increasingly fractured by conflict and religious division, our commitment to peaceful coexistence must remain an unwavering beacon of hope for our nation’s future,” the Minister stated in his speech.
The conference brought together stakeholders from the Christian and Muslim communities, as well as leaders from other religious faiths and civil society, to reflect on issues of national importance and promote unity across belief systems.
The Minister’s statement emphasized that both Christianity and Islam rooted in the Abrahamic tradition—share values of compassion, justice, and service to humanity. These shared values, he noted, have long bound Ghanaians together across communities and homes.
However, the Minister also cautioned that isolated cases of religious tension and abuse continue to threaten this harmony. He referenced findings from a recent national study which identified worrying trends such as religious intolerance, noise pollution, exploitation of the vulnerable, gender-based violence, child marriage, and other unethical practices conducted in the name of religion.
“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at a goal,” the Minister stated, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Each of us must be committed to the peace agenda.”
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to develop a National Policy on Religion, which will help to regulate religious practices, promote responsible religious leadership, and protect the rights and dignity of all citizens regardless of faith.
Hon. Sowah also highlighted ongoing ecumenical and interfaith efforts both within Christian and Muslim communities to unify under common platforms to advance national dialogue and religious accountability.
The Minister’s speech concluded with a passionate appeal to all Ghanaians to embody the values of tolerance, empathy, and shared responsibility.
“Let us remain each other’s keepers. Let peace be our guide and unity our purpose. Together, we can build a Ghana where every citizen lives in dignity, guided by faith, bound by love, and united in purpose.”
The three-day conference, running from July 9 to 11, features prayer sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative strategies designed to shape a national agenda for religious coexistence and civic cohesion.
Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey
(Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)