NCCE to help Peace Council resolve religious differences

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to join hands with the National Peace Council (NPC) to resolve the simmering interfaith differences that is said to be existent in Ghanaian schools.

The issue has been brought to the fore by some sections of the Islamic community especially in the Western Region, where a procession was held last month to petition the government over the issue.

The petition was subsequently referred to the National Peace Council for amicable resolution.

In his 58th independence anniversary address at the Black Star Square on Friday, March 6, President Mahama said he has asked NCCE to join NPC in using dialogue to resolve the issue.

Leaders of both the Islamic and Christian religions have backed the use of dialogue to resolve the issue.

“I wish to indicate that government is not averse to the use of interfaith channels and dialogues to resolve any disagreement among our different groups,” President Mahama told the gathering, among whom were former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor.

He said the resolution of the Commission and the Council will not prejudice the Supreme Court’s ruling on a suit recently filed by Gershon Nii Lamptey, seeking interpretation on the relevant clauses that define Ghana as a secular state.

“We will all await the highest court of the land to discharge its mandate.”