The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has called for mutual respect between religious groups in mission schools, warning that attempts to undermine long-standing traditions could threaten social harmony.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 87th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) on Saturday, November 29, he addressed the ongoing controversy over the rights of Muslim students in mission institutions.
He recounted how Ghana has historically enjoyed peaceful interfaith relations, unlike other countries he encountered during academic engagements abroad.
“I was teaching at a university and different speakers, speaker after speaker, mentioned the tensions that exist between Christians and people of other faiths in their countries.
“When it got to my turn, I remember telling the people there that it was not the case in my country. That in Ghana, Muslims do not mind going to church and Christians do not mind visiting Muslims,” he said.
He cited the example of the National Chief Imam’s visit to a Catholic Church during his 100th birthday celebration, as well as the Ga Presbytery’s annual tradition of visiting the Chief Imam during Ramadan.
According to him, such gestures of mutual respect are among the reasons Ghana continues to enjoy peace.
Rt. Rev. Kwakye stated that mission schools were built by religious organisations to uphold their faith and values, and that students who attend them must respect those principles.
“In Ghana, people of other faiths who have entered mission schools have respected the fact that mission schools were built by mission bodies in order to uphold the faith and ethos of the missions,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that recent agitations by small groups risk stirring unnecessary tension.
“I believe that we have co-existed and worked together as a nation for a long time. And there would not have been a problem had it not been for a few people who have attempted to ruffle the waters and create problems. It is also bringing responses that may not augur well for national cohesion,” he warned.
The Moderator urged both religious communities and the state to act responsibly to maintain unity.
“I want to call on everyone in this country, it is important that we respect the rights of persons of other religions. But it is also important for persons of other religions who access education in mission schools to respect the rights of the owners of the mission schools.
“If we do this together, I believe that we will continue on the path of social cohesion, which will lead to peace for our nation and development,” he said, adding that national leadership must ensure “the right things are done at all times.”
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