President John Dramani Mahama has urged religious leaders and their followers to exercise restraint, cautioning that recent tensions involving clerics must not erode Ghana’s long‑standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths. Speaking at the opening of the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, at Gomoa Fetteh on Thursday, August 20, 2026, the President described recent exchanges between a pastor and an imam—culminating in reported physical assaults—as deeply regrettable.
He stressed that such incidents should serve as a reminder that Ghana’s religious tolerance must never be taken for granted. “Such incidents must never be allowed to define relations between Christians and other religions in this country,” he said. Mahama noted that for generations, Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other faiths have lived peacefully together, sharing families, schools, workplaces, security services, and public institutions.
He emphasised that this culture of coexistence remains one of Ghana’s greatest national assets and must be safeguarded. President Mahama stressed that although the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to express one’s faith, those freedoms do not give anyone the right to insult another person’s beliefs, incite violence or take the law into their own hands.
“Religious conviction must never become religious provocation,” he said, warning that disagreements should never degenerate into hatred, intimidation or assault. “No one honours God by assaulting another person. No one defends the Almighty God by threatening or attacking another human being. God does not need violence committed in His name.”
President Mahama called on pastors, imams and other religious leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility, particularly in their public statements and use of social media. He cautioned that careless remarks made from church pulpits, in mosques or on online platforms could spread rapidly, inflame passions and cause damage far beyond what the speaker might have intended.
The President said religious leaders, including the National Chief Imam and others, would intervene to promote reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of the matter involving the individuals concerned. He, however, stressed that the law must be allowed to take its course fairly and impartially.
President Mahama also called for the next generation to be taught that religious diversity is not a weakness but a source of national strength when grounded in mutual respect. As the Assemblies of God, Ghana, deliberates on the future of the Church, President Mahama urged the denomination to remain committed to the principles of prayer, evangelism and goodwill.
He encouraged the Church to translate its faith into practical action that promotes peace, serves vulnerable people and contributes to national development. President Mahama congratulated the Assemblies of God, Ghana, on the organisation of the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting and expressed confidence that its deliberations would further strengthen the Church’s contribution to Ghana’s development and social harmony.
Source: Citi Newsroom
