In a move aimed at promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs to establish a task force to organize a National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service.
The service, which will comprise representatives from all Muslim sects and Christian denominations, is expected to foster a sense of unity and gratitude among Ghanaians of different faiths.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, made the announcement during a visit to several Muslim groups in Accra on Friday. The visit was part of the ministry’s efforts to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
During the visit, the minister and his team made donations to the Muslim groups, including bags of rice, sugar, and an undisclosed sum of money, to support them during the Ramadan season.
Ibrahim also acknowledged concerns raised by Muslim leaders about restrictions on Muslim students in some mission schools, preventing them from practicing their religious obligations. He assured that the ministry would work with the Minister for Education, the National Peace Council, and religious institutions to find a solution.
“The kind of religious tolerance that we have, which has long been an asset to the country, must be preserved. Their prayer is that we do everything possible to promote it.
“Concern was also raised about Muslim students being denied the right to observe their religious practices in some mission schools. Their opinion was that we must create a platform, together with the Minister for Education, as well as the leadership of the Education Service, to find an amicable solution to the problem.”
“We were tasked with working together with the National Peace Council and religious institutions to resolve the situation, which I believe may not be too difficult to achieve.”He said.
The minister added that the President had also directed the ministry to institute a National Prayer Day for Muslims and a similar one for Christians.
“His Excellency, the President, recognizes the role of Allah in governance. Therefore, he has tasked the ministry with establishing a National Thanksgiving Service for both our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters.
“Additionally, we were directed to form a task force that will institute a National Prayer Day for Muslims and a similar one for Christians. We have already made initial contact with them, but we will revisit the issue after Ramadan to get their representatives for the committee,” he noted.
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