By Daniel Adu Darko
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, President’s Envoy for Inter-Faith and Ecumenical Relations, has described the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, as a stabilising force whose continuous guidance has strengthened Ghana’s peace and cohesion.
Mr Afriyie Ankrah, who conveyed greetings from President John Dramani Mahama, the Chief of Staff and the government, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Imam in Accra to express appreciation for his unwavering support, particularly during the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.
He said President Mahama recognised Ghana’s “unique socio-political and religious dynamic,” which had enabled citizens of diverse faiths to coexist peacefully over the years.
“There is a tendency to take these things for granted, but we cannot afford to,” he said, adding that events in neighbouring countries showed that peace and stability remained the foundation for development.
The President’s decision to establish the Office of Inter-Faith and Ecumenical Relations, he explained, was to help consolidate Ghana’s long-standing culture of religious harmony and position the nation as a beacon for the subregion.
“You can’t talk about inter-faith peace and harmony in this country without acknowledging the unique role of the National Chief Imam,” he said.
“Both the Bible and the Qur’an admonish us to love our neighbours as ourselves. President Mahama wants us to become more conscious of this so that Ghana remains an example to the world”, he added.
Mr Afriyie Ankrah announced plans for a major Inter-Faith Conference next year, which would convene international Muslim and Christian clerics to deepen dialogue on religious harmony.
He noted that ongoing economic improvements, including falling inflation and a stabilising cedi, were signs of progress that could only be sustained through peace and unity.
He appealed to the Chief Imam to continue mobilising the Muslim community to pray for the President, government and the country.
The delegation presented 100 bags of rice, 10 gallons of vegetable oil and an undisclosed sum of money to the Chief Imam.
Sheikh Sharubutu, in his response, expressed profound gratitude to the President and commended the establishment of the Inter-Faith unit, describing it as a significant step towards safeguarding national harmony.
He said Ghana had been blessed with a rare religious coexistence, where Muslims and Christians interacted freely, consulted together and lived peacefully without upheavals.
“This favour bestowed upon us by Allah has not been bestowed on many other nations,” he said.
“We are grateful to the President for putting together a system that promotes peace and harmony,” he stressed.
The Chief Imam prayed for God’s guidance for the President and the continued stability of the nation.
GNA
Christian Akorlie