Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has condemned the assault of a cleric in police custody and urged restraint to prevent escalation of religious tensions.
A statement issued by the Council said the assault, captured in a video showing the handcuffed cleric being slapped, violated basic human dignity and the rule of law.
The incident followed an alleged verbal attack on Prophet Mohammed by the Christian cleric, after which a video emerged showing a Muslim cleric allegedly inciting violence against persons who spoke against the Prophet.
The two clerics have since been arrested by the Ghana Police Service.
The CCG, while condemning the alleged attack on Prophet Mohammed, also condemned the alleged incitement to violence and the subsequent assault of the Christian cleric.
“FIMI works with truthful material. Everything that FIMI uses is truthful. But what it does is to select materials that are explosive, can harm society, put them out of context, and support them on algorithmic push,” it said.
The Council said Ghana had enjoyed longstanding peaceful interfaith relations, strengthened through collaboration between Christian and Muslim bodies, particularly the CCG and the Office of the National Chief Imam.
It urged both Christians and Muslims to avoid reprisal actions, whether online or offline, and called on the security services to handle the matter swiftly, impartially and strictly according to law.
It said the state must demonstrate that the law applied equally to all persons, regardless of their religion or creed.
The CCG cited Article 21(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion subject to public order, and Section 207 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which criminalises conduct or offensive text intended to provoke a breach of the peace.
“Let us allow the state institutions to work without interference,” the Council said.
It urged Ghanaians not to allow the actions of individuals to undermine the country’s longstanding religious harmony.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo