– Presidential Envoy in charge of Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has called for tougher measures against persons involved in incidents that could fuel religious tensions in Ghana.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for arresting persons linked to the recent incident involving a pastor but argued that suspects should have been kept in custody for at least 48 hours as a deterrent to others.
Speaking at a meeting with religious leaders at the Police Headquarters, Mr Afriyie Ankrah said apologies from individuals involved should not be the only response to incidents capable of threatening religious harmony.
He noted that although the Muslim man who slapped the pastor had apologised and the pastor had also expressed regret, stronger measures were needed to discourage similar acts in the future.
According to him, appropriate sanctions would send a strong message that acts capable of inflaming religious tensions would not be tolerated.
Mr Afriyie Ankrah also urged the Police to handle religious-related cases without discrimination or political interference.
He stressed that the law must be applied fairly and impartially to all parties, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
He said maintaining religious harmony required a firm but fair approach to incidents that had the potential to create tension between Ghana’s religious communities.
