We have taken notice of a statement originating from the Interior Ministry about an assault that took place within the Police Headquarters on Wednesday, and the condemnation of the offence.
The Ministry’s concern about the inherent religious animosity contained in the exchanges which led to the current state of affairs should be a matter worth reflecting upon by all who cherish the fruits of interfaith harmony.
We have never reached this stage of intolerance, it would appear. Not even the reaction of some Muslim youth on Rev. Owusu Bempah in 2019 when the man predicted death for the National Chief Imam muddied the waters so badly. The country should not be allowed to be pushed to the precipice.
Many have questioned whether or not there would be a deterring action on the slapper. This is worrying because it shows that in this country there is selective application of the law.
The ‘Animal Farm’ model of the application of the law will not do us any good in this country.
All manner of speculations are being put out on social media to the effect that the suspect in the slapping incident is a highly placed National Democratic Congress (NDC) person and would therefore not be touched.
There are persons belonging to the main political parties in every state agency, including the security segments, and so restricted stuff about letting suspects off the hook will always be leaked to social media. These will cause public disaffection for the government, which is not a favourable situation.
While some of these leakages are untrue and part of propaganda ploys of some political parties, others are true. Be it as it may, these narratives all go to raise the security temperature of the country, which does not augur well for peace.
Matters about religious sensibilities can degenerate very quickly when not handled properly. It is for this reason that we call for moderation in our utterances about matters of religious sensibilities.
It started with an utterance and a response. An arrest followed and a slap of a suspect in the custody of the police.
The foregone were toxic situations which could have exploded into uncontrollable yet avoidable outcomes.
We are concerned about the creeping instance of religious intolerance these unguarded utterances are engendering.
Ghana, as we pointed earlier, is a haven of religious tolerance, an attribute we must protect by all means.
The few who appear to be benefitting from the anomalous situations are selfish individuals who should be stopped in their tracks. These miscreants do not speak for the faiths they claim to belong. Christianity and Islam both uphold peace and harmony.
Here is to call on leaders of the two main faiths to join hands in condemning those engaged in sowing this poisonous seed of intolerance through reckless comments and name-calling.
If only politicians will allow the security agencies in the case under review, the police, to do their work without political interference, things would hardly take this turn. But will they?