President John Dramani Mahama has called upon religious leaders and their congregations to practice restraint, cautioning that recent conflicts involving a pastor and an imam should not jeopardize Ghana’s enduring tradition of harmonious coexistence among individuals of diverse faiths.
While addressing the commencement of the 32nd Biennial General Council Meeting of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, in Gomoa Fetteh on Thursday, 20 August 2026, President Mahama characterized the recent incidents, which included derogatory statements made by the two religious leaders and subsequent allegations of physical violence, as profoundly regrettable.
“Religious belief should never escalate into religious provocation,” he stated, emphasizing that disagreements must not evolve into animosity, intimidation, or violence. “No individual honors God by assaulting another. No one defends the Almighty by threatening or attacking another human being. God does not require violence in His name.”
The President’s comments come in the wake of the apprehension of Islamic preacher Imam Masud Abdullah and Christian cleric Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei earlier this month, following the circulation of separate videos online that depicted the pastor making disparaging remarks about Prophet Mohammed and the imam allegedly promoting violence against those who insult the Prophet. A subsequent video also surfaced showing the pastor being assaulted while in police custody, leading to the arrest of a third individual.
“Such occurrences must never be permitted to characterize the relationship between Christians and other faiths in this nation,” President Mahama asserted, highlighting that Christians, Muslims, and followers of other religions have coexisted peacefully for generations, sharing families, educational institutions, workplaces, security services, and public entities. He referred to this coexistence as one of Ghana’s most significant national treasures and said it must be safeguarded.
President Mahama urged pastors, imams, and other religious leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility, especially in their public statements and social media use.
While the Constitution ensures freedom of religion, he emphasized that such freedoms do not permit anyone to insult another’s beliefs, incite violence, or take the law into their own hands.
He warned that thoughtless comments made from pulpits, in mosques, or on online platforms could quickly spread, ignite passions, and cause harm far exceeding the speaker’s intentions.
The President indicated that religious leaders, including the National Chief Imam, would step in to foster reconciliation and a peaceful resolution of the issue, while underscoring that the law should be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.
He also advocated for the education of the next generation on the idea that religious diversity is a source of national strength, not a weakness, when rooted in mutual respect.
In his address to the Assemblies of God, President Mahama encouraged the denomination to stay dedicated to prayer, evangelism, and goodwill, and to convert its faith into tangible actions that promote peace, assist vulnerable individuals, and contribute to national development.
