Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin has stated that what Ghana needs as a country to sustain her democracy and build back better peaceful coexistence is tolerance.
According to him, as Christians, Muslims and traditionalists, all Ghanaians cherish peace, love, good health, prosperity and salvation in the hereafter.
He indicated it is imperative for Ghanaians to continue to accept one another, and tolerate their differences not only as Christians and Muslims but also their differences as different sects and denominations existing within Christianity and Islam.
Speaking at the 10th Annual night of power in the Holy Month of Ramadan at Parliament House on Thursday 26th April, 2022, Speaker Alban Bagbin stated the unity, understanding, and tolerance that have become a feature of the interactions and relations in the country, particularly during Covid-19 should continue and remain a permanent feature of Ghanaian lives.
He said, “Chapter six of our constitution, the directive principles of state policy under the duties of every citizen enjoins every citizen to (c) to foster national unity and live in harmony with others; (d) to respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others, and generally to refrain from doing acts detrimental to the welfare of other persons.”
“Freedom of association as enshrined in our Constitution transcends the right to belong to political parties and, membership of any legitimate association, to include the freedom to belong to any religion or any belief system and to practice it freely.”
“Freedom of worship as expressed in our constitution is not merely expressing the right of an individual or group to freely practice their beliefs, but also imposes responsibility on those who do not share in the belief system of others to respect each other’s faith and work together in the interest of mother Ghana incorporated,” he added.
Diversity, he said, signifies the beauty of God’s creation and stressed it is not for nothing that God created the world and divided people into nations, tribes and different races and languages.
“It is for us to cherish God’s wisdom, power and authority and Glorify Him, and it is also for us to recognise one another and leave in peace and harmony so that the society will benefit from the beauty and wisdom of diversity,” he added.
According to him, the beauty of Ghana lies in the bond of her citizens despite their diversity and stressed this is a huge resource that should be harnessed for growth and development.
He averred that the theme for this year’s Night of Power, ‘Sustaining Democracy and Socio-Economic Development in post-Covid-19 Ghana: the role of the Muslim community,” is relevant and in tune with the challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic, to not only Ghana but also many countries around the world.
Speaking of the occasion, Speaker Bagbin noted the last ten days of Radaman are the most sacred period of the Holy Month of Ramadan in which God receives requests in the form of blessings, forgiveness, protection and other needs of humanity.
He, therefore, called for fervent prayers from Muslims for the country so God can continue to bless it to remain a beacon of hope for the African continent.
Source: Mypublisher24.com