President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned Ghanaians not take religious freedom for granted while pastors, imams, and religious leaders exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances and use of the social media.

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He gave the caution in his first public comment on the controversy between a Muslim cleric and Christian pastor, which escalated from online religious insults to arrests and a physical assault while in custody.

The President in his opening remarks at the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting of the Assemblies of God, Ghana at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region, noted that recent developments involving a pastor and an imam had reminded Ghanaians that nation’s tradition of religious tolerance could not be taken for granted.

He said the comments attributed to both religious figures, as well as a reported physical assault that subsequently occurred were deeply unfortunate.

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He noted that such incidents must never be allowed to define relations between Christians and other religions in the country

“For generations, Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths have lived together peacefully in Ghana,” President Mahama said.

“We belong to the same families, we attend the same schools, we work in the same offices and serve together in our security services and public institutions.”

The President said they shared in one another’s joys and sorrows, and that this peaceful coexistence was one of Ghana’s greatest national assets, and they must do everything to protect it.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion and freedom to express one’s religion. Still, neither freedom provides us a licence to insult another person’s faith, or to incite violence, or take the law into our own hands,” the President stated.

He reiterated that religious conviction must never become religious provocation.

📰 Source: Joy Online Ghana