The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, has congratulated the National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharabutu for being “an epitome of peace” and using his authority and office to engender peace within the Muslim community as well as engendering peace between Muslims and other religions in the country.

The IGP made the remarks in acknowledgment of the Islamic leader’s drive for peace when he paid a courtesy call on him at his residence at New Fadama on Monday, 7 January 2019.

The IGP, together with a number of Police Management Board (POMAB) members, met the Chief Imam and his elders, and expressed the gratitude of the police administration to the Chief Imam for the prompt action he took in defusing tension following the utterances made by Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, Head Pastor of the Glorious Word and Power Ministries International on New Year’s Eve, which nearly marred the peace of the country.

The IGP indicated that the proactive steps taken by the Chief Imam to prevent further conflict, fall in line with the mandate of the Ghana Police Service to prevent crime and protect lives and property.

“The proactive step you took has given meaning to the saying that security is a shared responsibility”, the IGP told the Chief Imam.

The National Chief Imam, for his part, expressed gratitude to the IGP and his team for the good work the police is doing in maintaining peace in the country.

According to the Chief Imam: “The Islamic religion recognizes multi-diversity and the complementary role each group plays in ensuring peace in the country.”

He indicated that Allah has favoured Ghana as a country, as people of different faiths have lived in peace or decades, and cautioned the public to desist from destroying the grace that God has given Ghana.

The Chief Imam expressed his willingness to work with the police and pledged his support in maintaining public order and decency in our national discourse.

The Chairman of the National Chief Imam’s advisory board, Alhaji Mohammed Gado, who was also present at the meeting with other elders of the Chief Imam, also welcomed the IGP and congratulated him for the proactive steps he has taken by the visit and pledged to work with the Muslim youth in order not to breach the peace of the country.