The 19th Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, has urged Ghanaians to uphold religious tolerance and mutual respect as the national debate surrounding religious practices at Wesley Girls' High School intensifies.
Speaking at the 87th Speech and Prize Giving Day of Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School (PRESEC) on November 29, 2025, where exemplary students and staff were honored, Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and unity in the face of growing tensions over the issue.
### **A Legacy of Interfaith Harmony**
In his address, the Moderator stressed that Ghana has long been a model of interfaith harmony and that the current tensions surrounding the Wesley Girls' case threaten to undermine this proud legacy.
“In Ghana, Christians and Muslims have lived together harmoniously for decades,” he noted. “Muslims do not mind attending church services, and Christians are equally welcome in Muslim communities. In fact, the National Chief Imam himself visited the Catholic Church to celebrate his 100th birthday.”
He also reflected on his personal experiences fostering interfaith unity during his tenure as Chairperson of the Ga Presbytery. "When I served as Chairperson, we visited the Chief Imam every year during Ramadan, and the Muslim community reciprocated with visits of their own,” he recalled. “These acts of mutual respect have played a significant role in maintaining peace within our communities and schools.”
### **The Role of Mission Schools**
Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye reminded the gathering that mission schools were founded by religious institutions to impart specific values and uphold Christian teachings. He pointed out that historically, students from different religious backgrounds have respected the ethos and identity of these schools.
Citing the PRESEC anthem, he explained that Christian values form an integral part of the identity of such schools, and that respecting these values is essential for the harmony of the educational environment.
### **Call for Respect and Balance**
The Moderator expressed concern over the recent public commentary, which he said has been fueled by "a few individuals" seeking to create unnecessary divisions. “Some of the responses we have seen do not promote national peace,” he warned.
He concluded his address with a call for balance and understanding: "It is important to respect the rights of people from other religions. At the same time, those who choose to be educated in mission schools must respect the rights and identity of the institutions that own these schools."
He further stressed that fostering social cohesion was crucial for national development, and urged leaders to uphold these principles. “If we do this together,” he said, “we will stay on the path of unity, which is essential for the continued progress of our nation.”
Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye ended with a prayer for national leaders, hoping they would always recognize these values and work to ensure the continued peace and stability of Ghana’s multi-religious society.
Source: *MyNewsGh.com*
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