The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has cautioned religious preachers, scholars and teachers against using provocative language in their sermons, saying such utterances could have national security implications.
He said religious teachings should be delivered responsibly and in a manner that promoted peace, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The warning follows the circulation of a video on social media in which a preacher allegedly called for violence against people who insult or make derogatory comments about the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Executive Secretary, Osumanu Seidu, the Chief Imam urged religious leaders to exercise restraint in the discharge of their duties.
"The National Chief Imam calls on all religious preachers, scholars and teachers to exercise circumspection, responsibility and restraint in the discharge of their duties," the statement said.
It added that "religious teachings must be grounded in sound knowledge and communicated in a manner that promotes peace, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence".
Sheik Sharubutu said emotional or provocative expressions could be "misunderstood, misinterpreted or exploited to incite hatred, violence or public disorder".
He, therefore, urged religious leaders to "be mindful of the potential national security implications of their utterances".
The Chief Imam described the preacher's alleged remarks as inconsistent with Islamic teaching and said such utterances had no place in Ghana's peaceful, democratic and religiously diverse society.
He said religious disagreements or perceived insults should not be addressed through violence or vigilantism.
Such matters, he said, "must not be addressed through violence or vigilantism, but through lawful and constitutionally recognised processes".
Public apology
The office of the Chief Imam said it had taken note of the preacher's subsequent public apology.
It welcomed his acknowledgement of Ghana's secular constitutional order and the need to safeguard national peace and security.
The Chief Imam's warning comes amid renewed attention to the language used by religious figures in public sermons, particularly when such remarks have the potential to trigger tension or disorder.
The Chief Imam's office urged religious leaders to remain mindful of the influence of their words and to communicate their teachings in ways that promote peaceful coexistence.
