Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has warned politicians not to presume on the religious rights debate to score political points.
According to him, Christians and Muslims have co-existed peacefully over the past years and so if there seems to be any misunderstanding it should be resolved through dialogue.
“Politicians should not be seen to be meddling in these issues,” Akufo-Addo stressed.
He made this remark on Tuesday, March 10 after paying a courtesy call on the Ashanti Region Chief Imam Sheikh Abdul Mumin Haruna at his residence in Suame, Kumasi.
The seeming tension between Christians and Muslims came to a head last month when a group of Muslims marched on the streets of Sekondi-Takoradi to present a petition to President John Dramani Mahama through the regional minister.
President Mahama in his State of the Nation’s address threatened to sanction school heads who force students into practising rites alien to their faith.
“In my own view, this is not an issue politicians in the country should be seen wading into,” Nana Addo stated.
On his part, Sheikh Haruna indicated that: “We will not allow politicians into the debate, because it is obvious some want wade into it for their narrow parochial and political interests.”
He said the issue has already been discussed among the Muslim leadership.
“Christians and Muslims have been co-existing in peace for decades in this country, and that will not change,” he pointed out.
The National Peace Council together with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is working to resolve the issue.
Source: editors.3news.com with NPP additions|Ghana
