Elvis Afriyie Ankrah hails Ghana's religious tolerance

Correspondence from Ashanti Region

The Presidential Envoy in charge of Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has described Ghana’s deep-rooted religious tolerance as a global benchmark for sustainable peace, urging that it must be carefully preserved and strengthened.

He emphasised that this unique national asset remains critical to Ghana’s stability and positions the country as a positive example in a world increasingly challenged by religious and social divisions.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah made these remarks at the 65th Annual National Conference and Fund-Raising Ceremony of the Ghana Muslim Mission, held at the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi. The well-organised event, marked by discipline and orderliness, provided a platform for the Envoy to celebrate Ghana’s enduring culture of interfaith harmony.

He conveyed warm greetings from His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, stressing the President’s profound respect for the Muslim community and appreciation for the Ghana Muslim Mission’s historic role in promoting faith, discipline, education, and national unity.

Before his main address, the Envoy commended the Mission’s leadership and participants for the exemplary discipline displayed throughout the event.

He particularly praised the modest and dignified dressing of Muslim women, both young and old, remarking that “your beauty is not hidden even when you dress decently.” He noted that this serves as a powerful example to society, demonstrating that decency and elegance can coexist without self-exposure.

To illustrate Ghana’s lived experience of peaceful coexistence, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah shared an anecdote from a northern Ghanaian town where a mosque and a church stand barely 50 metres apart.

When heavy rains caused the mosque’s roof to collapse, Christian youth were the first to arrive with materials and labour to help repair it. Months later, when the church required repainting and renovation, Muslim youth willingly offered their support.

“No memorandum was signed. No press conference was held. No one asked, ‘What religion are you?’ They simply asked, ‘Are you my neighbour?’” he said, describing the incident as religious tolerance in its purest form.

Delving into theological foundations, the Envoy referenced Qur’an 49:13, which teaches that humanity was created into nations and tribes “so that you may know one another, not to fight.”

He also cited Qur’an 4:1, which speaks of humanity’s shared origin from a single soul, and highlighted the common spiritual lineage of Jews, Christians, and Muslims through Abraham (Ibrahim). He further noted that the Prophet Muhammad is described in Qur’an 21:107 as “a mercy to all creation,” underscoring Islam’s universal message of compassion.

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah described Ghana as a blessed exception in a world often fractured by religious manipulation. He pointed to everyday examples of harmony, where Muslim families participate in Christmas celebrations, Christians eagerly await Eid meat from their Muslim neighbours, and traditional leaders bless both mosque and church projects alike. He attributed this unity to intentional tolerance, responsible religious leadership, and a shared belief that peace is a national asset.

He reaffirmed President Mahama’s commitment to protecting this harmony and strengthening interfaith collaboration, describing it as both a moral responsibility and a strategic pillar of national stability.

He stressed that tolerance does not weaken faith, but rather reflects the strength to hold one’s beliefs firmly while respecting the dignity of others.

In conclusion, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah charged Ghanaians to actively defend their peace.

“Tolerance must be taught, modelled, and defended,” he said, urging parents to instil respect before rivalry, religious leaders to preach peace louder than provocation, and political leaders to never exploit faith for division.

He called on the nation to guard its harmony with the same seriousness as its borders, reaffirming the shared humanity that unites all Ghanaians, regardless of faith.