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“Don’t meddle in
Religious Rights’ debate” – Akufo-Addo to
politicians
The 2016 presidential candidate of the New
Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,
has admonished politicians in the country
not to meddle in the ongoing debate on
religious rights in schools and workplaces.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, Christians and
Muslims have, over the years, co-existed in
harmony, stating that if there is a
“misunderstanding” regarding the issue of
religious rights in schools and workplaces,
it should be resolved by a process of
dialogue between Christian and Muslim
leaders.
“Politicians should not be seen to be
meddling in these issues,” Akufo-Addo
stressed.
The NPP flagbearer made this known on
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 when he paid a
courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Chief
Imam, Sheikh Abdul Mumin Haruna, at his
residence in Suame, Kumasi.
Nana Akufo-Addo explained that the beauty
about Ghana, which has been the envy of many
countries in the region, has been the
peaceful co-existence of its citizens
despite their varied religious affinities.
This, over the years, according to
Akufo-Addo, has prevented religious conflict
in the country.
“Even the document that binds our country,
the Constitution of the Fourth Republic,
recognises and advocates religious freedoms.
It must stay that way. In my own view, this
is not an issue politicians in the country
should be seen wading into,” Akufo-Addo
said.
He continued, “The current issues in
Christian and Muslim educational
institutions should be handled by a process
of dialogue between Christian and Muslim
leaders. These leaders must sit down to talk
for peace and understanding to prevail.”
Towards this end, Nana Addo asked for the
support of the Regional Chief Imam to help
in taking this debate away from the
political domain, despite attempts by some
politicians to make this a political one.
“This is not an issue any politician should
be involved in. Let us take ourselves out of
this,” the NPP flagbearer noted, adding that
interference by politicians may not
necessarily resolve this matter, “but could
rather result in undesired consequences for
Ghana.”
Nana Akufo-Addo also asked the Imam to pray
for God’s guidance, wisdom, courage and good
health for him, as he readies himself for
the campaign leading to the December 2016
general elections.
On his part, Sheikh Abdul Momin Haruna
thanked Nana Akufo-Addo for the visit, and
assured him of his resolve in contributing
towards ensuring a timeous and smooth
resolution of the ongoing debate.
“Some want to foster disunity amongst our
religions, but we will not allow that to
happen. We will not allow politicians into
the debate, because it is obvious some want
wade into it for their narrow parochial and
political interests. That is not how to
build a nation. We spoke about it in the
mosque last Friday, and we will do so again
this Friday. Christians and Muslims have be
co-existing in peace for decades in this
country, and that will not change,” the
Chief Imam noted.
Nana Akufo-Addo subsequently paid a courtesy
call on the Kumasi Sarkin Zongo, Alhaji Umar
Farouk.
Nana Akufo-Addo was accompanied by his
Running Mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Ashanti
Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi
Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi); 1st Regional
Vice Chairman, Dr Abdul Rauf; Hajia Zeinabu
Sallow, Regional Treasurer; Mohammed Abdul
Hamid, Ashanti Regional Nasara Co-ordinator;
Manaf Ibrahim, Deputy Regional Secretary;
and Dr Amoako-Tuffuor, member of the NPP’s
National Council
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