President John Dramani Mahama has called on religious leaders and their followers to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could threaten Ghana’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The President made the appeal on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when he addressed the opening of the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.
His comments come amid recent tensions involving a pastor and an imam, including controversial remarks attributed to the two religious figures and subsequent reports of physical assaults.
President Mahama described the developments as unfortunate and cautioned against allowing isolated incidents to damage relations between Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths.
“Such incidents must never be allowed to define relations between Christians and other religions in this country,” he said.
He noted that Ghanaians of different religious backgrounds had, for generations, lived together peacefully, sharing families, schools, workplaces and public institutions.
According to him, religious tolerance remains one of Ghana’s major national assets and must be deliberately protected.
The President stressed that although the 1992 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to express one’s faith, such freedoms do not permit individuals to insult other people’s beliefs, incite violence or resort to self-help.
“Religious conviction must never become religious provocation,” President Mahama cautioned, adding that disagreements should not degenerate into hatred, intimidation or physical attacks.
“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,” he said.
President Mahama urged pastors, imams and other religious leaders to exercise greater responsibility in their public pronouncements, particularly on social media.
He warned that inflammatory comments made from pulpits, mosques or online platforms could spread rapidly, inflame passions and create consequences beyond the intentions of those who make them.
He disclosed that religious leaders, including the National Chief Imam, would work towards reconciliation and a peaceful resolution of the dispute involving the individuals concerned.
The President, however, maintained that any alleged offences should be handled through the appropriate legal processes.
He further called for young people to be taught to view religious diversity as a source of national strength rather than division, stressing the importance of mutual respect among different faith communities.
Turning to the Assemblies of God, Ghana, President Mahama congratulated the church on the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting and urged it to continue contributing to national peace and development.
He encouraged the church to translate its Christian values into practical initiatives that promote peace, support vulnerable people and contribute to Ghana’s socioeconomic development.
The President expressed confidence that the meeting would strengthen the church’s contribution to national development while promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
