The Acting President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II has commended the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng on the initiative to engage Stakeholders on a Proposed National Policy on Religion.

According to him, a National Policy on Religion would help weed out the charlatans as some people have made religion an avenue for money rather than the service to God. He urged all participants to come up with great ideas and contributions to enable the Ministry develop a policy that will speak the minds of people and curb some issues affecting the country.

The Acting President was speaking at the Regional Stakeholder Consultation on proposed National Policy on Religion on Tuesday, 21^st November 2023 at Zone 2 in the Western Region where the Ministry is having a series on consultative meetings across the Sixteen Regions of Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of the Country Director for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Wilfred Ochan, Miss Priscilla Tigoe, a Programmes Assistant at the UNFPA said although they work with the vulnerable in society, most of these people look up to Religious Leaders therefore it is important to have a Policy for Religion that would help shape and empower the vulnerable in society as they are being mobilized by the Religious bodies in society.

Representative of the Western Regional Minister, Rev Ebo Kessie called on all Religious Bodies to be mindful of their utterances as these are the issues that lead to conflicts in a country, although Ghana is said to be a religious country, individuals have separate beliefs hence the need to have a peaceful coexistence.

The Regional Consultation is also taking place simultaneously in the Bono Region and in the North East Region with participants drawn from Women’s Groups, Religious Bodies, Institutional Bodies, Academicians and Traditional Authorities.

Source: Public Affairs and Communication Unit, MCRA