Henry Quartey
An unusual scene, a beautiful one which defined how members of the two main Abrahamic faiths, Christianity and Islam relate to each other was unfolded last Monday at the residence of the Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey.
Constituency executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) turned up at the location in response to the regional minister’s invitation to them to come for an Easter party.
Members of the Islamic faith leaving their Christian counterparts to go and pray as the former waited for their return was such an admirable scene to behold.
With Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in the house as the special guest of honour joining in the prayers following the breaking of the fast, one of the speakers at the function described the harmony existing between the two main faiths in the country as beautiful. We could not agree more with the description when in some countries, six decades after the attainment of independence, inter-faith cohesion is still a distant dream.
We must all hold on to this harmony and be guided by the admonition by the regional minister to be mindful of what we say about others who hold different opinions about subjects.
This harmony should be stretched to our interparty relationship which deteriorates when the campaign season draws near.
A few months ago, a party activist in Kumasi passed comments which suggested that the leadership of his political grouping have a negative project lined up for the campaign season. It was a remark which was anything but inuring to the security of this country.
The peace of this country should not be taken for granted. Those who therefore engage in unnecessary sabre-rattling should be called to order.
In such matters, the origins of the tension-triggering remarks should be those which should be named and shamed.
Waiting for responses to come before reacting through statements and comments by agencies which are in place to check such irresponsible remarks which can ignite fear and tension does not help matters.
Those who have tasted insecurity are in a better position to appreciate the invaluable peace that is prevailing in our country.
We are insulated from the insecurity others elsewhere, some of them bordering us, are forcefully enduring.
We recall how during the days of the so-recalled revolution what it was to live in this country. The disappearance of persons and even murder of others in the name of a cleansing campaign are etched in the memories of those who went through those days.
Many years after those dark days, we recall vividly how a President flaunted the unenviable and shameful record of violence, saying that when it comes to such infamy no party comes near theirs.
A few days ago another politician from the other side of the aisle calls the bluff of the opposition and members of the party are crying.
While we are supportive of the National Peace Council’s call on party political actors to be protective of our prevailing peace, we would rather such subtle queries are issued without the diplomacy they always come with.
At the time the Kumasi party activist rattled a sabre, such a reaction did not come, especially when the leadership of the party stormed the court at the time the suspect made an appearance.