The Committee on Muslim Rights has petitioned the National Security Minister to investigate Dr. Samuel Ofori Onwona over a viral tape on social media which the Committee considers a threat to Muslims in Ghana.
In a petition dated 5th May 2020 and signed by Alhaj Prof. S. Y. Peligah, which we have a copy of, the Committee accused Mr. Onwona of authoring and publishing “incendiary, inciteful, and hate speech against Muslims in Ghana.
The alleged comments according to the Committee “have far reaching consequences for national security” and “threaten national stability that is founded on religious pluralism, tolerance, and cohesion.” Rev. Dr. Sarpong Ofori Onwona in the alleged tape claims to be the deputy chairman of the Scripture Union of Ghana, a claim we cannot verify.
This paper cannot also authentic the veracity of the tape which contains threats to the President of Ghana, and Minister for Education.
The voice in the tape is heard questioning why the education minister has given a directive for Muslims to be allowed to fast Wesley Girls Senior High. The Committee is also alleging that “this will not be the first time the subject has issued and caused to be published threats and hate speech against Muslims.”
“We have taken notice of his previous threats (a copy attached) against the Turkish ambassador in 2019 on account of – as he claims – “a plot to Islamise Ghana” by the Turkish government and bring same to your attention”, the petition reads.
The petition continues “we hereby call on your outfit to institute an investigation into these issues and apply the needed legal regime which in our belief, has been sufficiently breached by the subject” and assures “e shall standby to assist in any investigations that will help to unravel this monumental security breach”.
It concludes “we would be disappointed if your outfit fails to act.” It would be recalled that there has been a considerable national debate since news broke that Wey Gey Hey had prevented Muslims from observing the Ramadan fast. A decision the school argues is non-religious but based on “health considerations”.
The Islamic Medical Association of Ghana issued a statement refuting claims of health implications of fasting and challenged the school to produce scientific evidence to back its claim. The Methodist church, Christian Council of Ghana, and the Catholic Bishops Conference have thrown their support behind the school and have taken an “exception to the directive by GES” directing the school to allow Muslims to observe the Ramadan fast.
Prior to the statements from these Christian organisations, the Office of the National Chief Imam and the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, had called for calm in order to prevent any religious tensions that could spiral out of control.
Many notable figures such as Vice President of Imani Africa, Kofi Bentil, Hon Okudzeto Ablakwa, Kwaku Sekyi Addo, Opoku Gakpo, and several others have openly criticised the position of the school with some calling it “religious intolerance”.
This will not be the first time matters concerning treatment of Muslim students in schools have come up.
