Let’s abhor religious intolerance
Ghana is a secular state and therefore recognises the right of all persons to practise any religion, and to freely form or belong to any political party of their choice, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
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Indeed, Article 21 (3) of the 1992 Constitution “provides for and protects the rights of all Ghanaians to freely form or join political parties and to participate in political activities subject to the qualifications and laws as are necessary in a free and democratic society and consistent with the Constitution”.
It is equally important that we appreciate that Article 21(1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution also recognises and protects the right of all persons to freely practise any religion and to manifest such practice.
We have lived and continue to live and collaborate with each other for the development of the country.
We continue to witness our religious leaders visit one another to share ideas and demonstrate to the world that Ghana is a peaceful country.
However, since the election of the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 general election, some political activists are introducing religious dimensions into the political discourse.
The Daily Graphic is convinced that the introduction of religious differences or the “politics of religion” is not a path we should choose.
Our political actors must help nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand as it might create serious problems for the country.
Such negative tendencies and utterances can only destroy the country’s long-cherished pluralistic and friendly society.
We must, therefore, join hands to expose and shame any politician or their assigns who might want to introduce religious bigotry into our body politic.
Fortunately, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has declared its intention to roll out a comprehensive public education programme on religious tolerance, focusing on the youth as the nation prepares for the 2024 election (see November 17, 2023, issue of the Daily Graphic).
The Daily Graphic believes that the public education on religious tolerance should not be left only in the hands of the NCCE.
All stakeholders – the National Peace Council, religious bodies, civil society organisations, the media and the security services – must join in this campaign.
We must all ensure that the exercise succeeds even before the electioneering hits the peak so that we can hold the country in one piece and not tear it into pieces.
We must not allow our politicians to take advantage of the vulnerable youth and incite them into violence on the lines of religious differences.
The Daily Graphic urges Ghanaians, irrespective of their religious beliefs and ethnicity, to stand united and continue to be one another’s keeper.
We have witnessed some political turbulence and disturbances in some countries where the vulnerable such as women and children fled such disturbances to seek havens in other countries.
Ghana cannot afford to walk that path, hence the need for our political parties and politicians in particular not to use religion to inflame passions and incite people to violence.
The consequences of the 1994 Rwanda civil war is still fresh in our minds.
We need to remind ourselves that Ghana has become the beacon of democracy on the continent, an image which must be protected.
Having practised multy-party democracy for more than 30 years, the most stable since the country attained independence, we must strive to improve upon it and remain so.
It is imperative to point out that the introduction of religious differences into politics will be drawing back the clock of progress and development.
We are witnesses to the negative impact of religion on politics in some countries, especially in Nigeria where Boko Haram has taken over some areas, causing mayhem to their fellow citizens.
We cannot and should not allow religious intolerance to dominate our electioneering.
We join the NCCE in urging Ghanaians to denounce politicians who want to secure victory through divisiveness based on religion or ethnicity.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the media especially the electronic media not to allow politicians to use their medium to introduce religion into our politics.
We want issue-based discourse that will impact positively on our society and not actions and utterances that will divide and destroy the people.
Let us join hands to maintain the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the country.
