By: Maxwell Woyram Tsigbe
In an inclusive effort to foster national unity, the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has held talks with religious clerics to discuss innovative ways of safeguarding Ghana’s long-lasting peace and security it has enjoyed over the years.
Held on the same day – Wednesday, March 12, 2025 but in two separate sessions, the Minister engaged the Christian clerics at the Accra City Hotel and underscored the critical role they play in promoting national cohesion for development.
However, he bemoaned the alarming rate of vigilantism, land guard activities and chieftaincy disputes across the country while citing eleven (11) curfews as of February this year as the corresponding repercussions of the aforementioned phenomena.
Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak therefore called for a united front in addressing the root causes of the conflicts to help nib in the bud any form of insecurity.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my hope that together, we can identify community-based initiatives to promote peace and social cohesion; develop collaborative programmes to address the root causes of conflicts; strengthen our collective response to emerging security threats,” the Minister stated.
In attendance were leaders of the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Catholic Bishop Conference, the National Association of Christian and Charismatic Churches among others.
Meanwhile, to ensure inclusivity and holistic approach, the Interior Minister proceeded to the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra for the second session of the engagement with the Muslim clerics and Zongo chiefs where the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Alhaji Dr. Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, graced the occasion with his presence.
Under the theme: “Promoting Peace and Social Cohesion and Addressing Security Concerns – the Contribution of the Muslim Ummah,” Mr. Muntaka expressed his profound gratitude to fellow Muslims for their attendance despite observing the fasting period of the holy month of Ramadan.
He stressed the crucial roles of Muslim leaders and Zongo Chiefs in promoting peace and social cohesion, and urged them to continue preaching love, forgiveness and hope to their subjects.
He, however, lamented the frequent involvement of Muslims in almost all wrongdoings in the country either individually or as a group.
“Often, whenever there is an issue, Muslim names are mentioned. Our Muslim youth are frequently associated with one problem or another, which is undesirable and must be discouraged,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, Mr. Muntaka assured the clerics of government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to help them contribute effectively to the realization of a peaceful, safer and secured national environment.
Both sessions of the engagement saw clerics of the two religious denominations took turns to make valid inputs and sought answers to relevant questions to help achieve the minister’s aim during their respective sessions.
They committed to partnering the Ministry in its cause to help the government protect the country’s long-lasting peace and security, and urged the Minister to make the engagement a continued efforts and not just a one-time dialogue.