By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno said on Friday the police will not hesitate to clamp down on religious bigotry and inciteful content capable of threatening the country’s peace and religious harmony, especially on social media.
In a meeting with religious leaders at the police headquarters, the police chief warned that the police would take steps to prevent activities that could threaten religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in the West African country.
The IGP’s warning follows the arrest of a Christian pastor and an imam of the Islamic faith over religiously inciting comments made on social media, generating tension among the country’s two dominant groups.
He warned that seemingly isolated acts of religious intolerance could escalate if left unchecked and potentially undermine the country’s peace and stability.
“We have seen nations where small sparks were allowed to fester until they grew into civil strife, destroying communities, markets, schools, and places of worship. Ghana has been spared this tragedy not because we are immune to disagreement, but because generations before us chose dialogue over destruction and brotherhood over hate,” said Yohuno.
The police chief urged religious leaders and the public to promote tolerance and dialogue while using social media responsibly to avoid content that could inflame religious tensions.
Ghana has, in recent times, witnessed many inciteful comments by people on social media attacking their political opponents and those they disagree with on various issues, hence raising tensions in the relatively peaceful country. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
