The Business and Faith Development Centre (BFDC) in Accra and the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology (CIBT) have awarded Mr Irbard Ibrahim, Peace Ambassador for Election 2016, for his efforts at building and sustaining peace and stability in the Republic of Ghana in the lead-up to the December polls.

He received the award after delivering a lecture on Saturday September 3 on the topic: ‘Securing the Future: The Ghanaian Youth and Election 2016’ in Accra

In his lecture, Mr Ibrahim cautioned against the persecution of the clergy by politicians and debunked the notion that religion should be separated from politics.

He urged the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Office of the National Chief Imam, and the Christian Council of Ghana to continue to speak out on the ills of Ghana's governance but in a neutral, unbiased and strictly nonpartisan manner.

He said religion was the soul of the Ghanaian state and any attempt to take God out of the equation would deepen the culture of impunity by the ruling class and lead the nation into an abyss.

The event was on the theme: ‘Youth Conference on Democracy and Development’.

The citation read in part: “In recognition of your courage, dynamism and relentless efforts in the pursuit of peace and security, dialogue, and harmonious coexistence in Ghana and beyond."