Ghana Urged to Fight Extremism

Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu

Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, spokesperson for the National Chief Imam has called on the various religious sects in Ghana to reject the formation of religious extremist groups.

According to him, religious extremism was mainly the root cause of religious terrorism around the world which resulted into suicide bombings, piracy, aircraft high jacking and other forms of atrocities usually cried out in the name of one religion or the other. 

Speaking at the just ended National Seminar on Guidelines for Religious Broadcasting in Accra on Tuesday, Sheik Armiyawo condemned the various terrorist attacks that were being carried out in the world by extremist groups in the name of one religion or the other.

The Seminar was held to determine guidelines on how religious broadcasting can be carried on our airwaves to benefit not only the religious communities but also the country as a whole.  

“Islam does not condone extremism. Religious extremism is a deviation from the Islamic goals of promoting peace. The fight against religious extremism remains a mission we must all work to attain,” he stated.

  

“ It is not the business of a Muslim to insult a Christian because they believe in the Trinity. Strong Quranic texts state that provided they do not chase you out of your homes or fight you because of your faith, you have no business fighting any Christian or chasing a Christian and slitting his throat,” he noted. 

Reverend Prof Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council stressed that religion if properly harnessed can have a positive impact on national development. 

He emphasized that religious broadcasting could only facilitate peace and development if it takes up the challenge to confront ignorance, poverty and disunity, and inspire true teaching and preach concrete responses to these challenges.

“The traditional role of Journalism is to enable the public to make well-informed decisions. However, when a society is threatened by violent religious conflict, journalism faces greater difficulties in broadcasting, as opposing sides seek to control the media. 

“It is therefore in order to offer a platform for the various religious groups identified in our society as credible groups to broadcast their beliefs, so as to spread moral values among our people ,” Prof Asante added. 

Meanwhile Kwesi Gyan-Apenteng, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) said the guidelines for Religious Broadcasting would spell out principles governing the content of religious programs in broadcasting though it will not impose guidelines on religious broadcasters or on any media activity in the country. 

The event brought together a lot of personalities like Most Rev Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Catholic Archbishop of Accra; Rev Helena Poku-Sarkodie and William Ampem-Darko, former Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)  among others