“CARE” Ghana has described the recent trend of subtle inclusion of religious rhetoric into the country’s political campaigns as atrocious and disturbing.
“Such manipulative tactics intended to exploit religion for political gain not only undermine the very fabric of our democracy but also threaten the peace and unity we strive to maintain,” the organization said.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, David Kumi Addo, the organization stated, “This blatant pandering to religious sentiments not only disregards the secular nature of our democracy but also jeopardizes the delicate balance of religious coexistence that Ghana has long strived to maintain”.
It stressed that in a volatile region where interfaith tensions may be simmering, the use of religion as a political tool is particularly worrying and has the potential to ignite communal violence, sow seeds of mistrust among different religious communities, and destabilize the peace and security of the country as a whole.
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The statement explained that in a democratic society, the foundation of governance should rest on the principles of equality, justice, and secularism, hence, the utilization of religion as a tool for political manipulation is not only unethical but also deeply divisive.
“CARE” Ghana urged the National Peace Council, comprising of heads of religious bodies and chiefs to fulfil their sacred duty by vehemently admonishing the exploitation of religion in political campaigns and elucidating the dire implications of such actions.
“Religion should serve as a source of solace, compassion, and moral guidance for individuals, not as a pawn in the pursuit of power. When religion becomes entangled in the political sphere, it not only sows seeds of discord but also threatens the very essence of religious freedom and tolerance”, it said.
The organization cautioned that as a nation, Ghanaians must be vigilant in safeguarding the secular nature of its democracy and should resist any attempts to divide the people along religious lines but instead strive for inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect.
The statement noted that Ghana’s future prosperity and stability depend on the people’s collective commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, secularism, and religious tolerance, and implored the diplomatic community to take a decisive stance against the exploitation of religion in political campaigns and condemn such acts.