Adib Saani, Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, has urged security agencies to act firmly against religious hate and extremist speech to safeguard Ghana’s religious harmony.‎

‎He said inflammatory religious statements could heighten tensions, provoke retaliation and undermine peaceful relations between religious communities.‎

‎Mr Saani made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) following the police’s recent invitation of an Imam to assist with investigations into allegedly religiously intolerant comments he made.‎

‎He said the police action was necessary because of the potential of such comments to inflame religious passions.‎

‎“I do think the invitation should have even come earlier,” he said.‎

‎Mr Saani described the comments attributed to the Imam as dangerous and capable of evoking passions, noting that religious matters were highly sensitive and that pronouncements by religious leaders could significantly influence their followers.‎

‎He said statements perceived as attacks on religious beliefs could trigger retaliation and counter-retaliation, potentially escalating into wider communal tensions.‎

‎Mr Saani cited experiences from Nigeria, including the case of Mohammed Yusuf, founder of Boko Haram, to underscore the potential consequences of failing to address inflammatory religious rhetoric early.‎

‎He urged the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and, where offences were established, apply the law to serve as a deterrent to others who might resort to hate or extremist speech.‎

‎Mr Saani said religious leaders commanded significant influence and that their pronouncements were sometimes regarded by followers as authoritative, making responsible communication particularly important.‎

‎He cautioned that inflammatory statements could be interpreted by some individuals as justification for violence and thereby create tensions between religious communities.‎

‎Mr Saani noted that an apology reportedly issued by the Imam did not adequately address the concerns, particularly where religious teachings were invoked to justify violent responses to alleged insults against religious figures.‎

‎He said freedom of expression should be exercised responsibly, particularly on religious matters, and stressed the need to distinguish legitimate criticism from speech that amounted to incitement, hate, intimidation or harassment.‎

‎Mr Saani acknowledged that some individuals had allegedly made repeated provocative comments against Muslims, saying such conduct should also be examined within the broader discussion on religious tolerance and responsible speech.‎

‎“There is a thin line between tolerance and free speech,” he said, adding that people were entitled to express their views but must remain mindful of the emotional sensitivities of others.‎

‎Mr Saani said Ghana had largely maintained peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians despite occasional challenges and cautioned against actions that could undermine the country’s religious harmony.‎

‎He called on religious leaders and their followers to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, stressing that the Prophet Muhammad had not instructed Muslims to kill people who insulted him.‎

‎Mr Saani said his own experience, including being raised by a Muslim father who sent him to Christian mission schools, demonstrated the longstanding cooperation between the two faiths.‎

‎He urged Ghanaians to protect that harmony as a foundation for national peace and development.‎