IGP Yohuno To Christian And Islamic Leaders: “Violence Will Not Fix What Words Have Broken”

Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has called on the Christian Council of Ghana and the Islamic clergy to lead a national charge for peace, tolerance and restraint, following days of religious tension sparked by alleged blasphemous comments and acts of vigilante violence.

Addressing faith leaders in Accra, the IGP said Ghana stands “at the crossroads of our shared humanity” and warned that mob justice and hate speech threaten the peace the country has built over decades.

“Justice Is Being Done”
Mr. Yohuno said the Ghana Police Service has already taken decisive action in response to the recent incidents.

The Islamic cleric who allegedly called for extrajudicial killings was arrested. The Christian cleric accused of making derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was also taken into custody for investigation. And the individual filmed slapping the handcuffed Christian cleric has been apprehended to face prosecution.

“That single act of violence an assault on a man already subdued by law enforcement enraged millions of Ghanaians across religious lines,” the IGP stated. “It violated our collective sense of decency, our constitutional order, and the sacred values of compassion and tolerance.”

“Let me be clear: Violence will not fix what words have broken, and vigilante retribution will never replace the rule of law in Ghana,” he added.

An Appeal from Scripture
The Police Chief urged both Christian and Muslim leaders to return to the core teachings of their faiths to de-escalate tensions.

Citing the Qur’an, he referenced Surah An-Nahl 16:125 “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction” and Surah Al-Furqan 25:63, which describes true servants of God as those who “say words of peace” when addressed harshly.

“To call for the summary execution of a fellow citizen or to assault a handcuffed suspect does not honour the dignity of the Holy Prophet,” Mr. Yohuno said. “It undermines the very mercy that he was sent to bring to mankind.”

To Christians, he quoted Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” and Colossians 4:6.

“Provoking religious hatred and stoking inter-faith hostility does not reflect the character of Christ. True Christian witness is found in love, peace, patience, and self-control,” he said.

Upholding The Law and International Standards
The IGP stressed that Ghana, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ICCPR, must protect both freedom of religion and freedom from incitement to religious hatred.

“When a handcuffed suspect is slapped while under police custody, it is not merely an assault on that individual — it is an assault on the State itself,” he said. “It breaches international protocols governing the treatment of detainees.”

He assured Ghanaians that the Police Service under his leadership “will remain firm, neutral, and resolute” and will not tolerate religious bigotry or vigilante enforcement.

Three Commitments for Faith Leaders
Mr. Yohuno asked the Christian Council and Islamic clergy for three commitments:

1. Preach De-escalation: Use Friday Khutbahs and Sunday sermons to promote inter-faith harmony and warn against religious conflict.
2. Model Unity: Be seen standing together, issuing joint statements, and walking through communities to show the youth that diversity is strength.
3. Re-affirm Trust in Justice: Teach congregations never to resort to mob justice or online harassment, and to allow the law to take its course.

“Protecting The Soul of Ghana”
The IGP warned against allowing Ghana to follow the path of other West African nations where religious friction spiraled into civil strife.

“Ghana has been spared this tragedy not because we are immune to disagreement, but because generations before us chose dialogue over destruction, and brotherhood over bitterness,” he said.

“Ghana is a house built on the bedrock of unity. We are one people under God, bound by a single destiny. We will not allow the indiscretion of a few to tear down the peace we have laboured for decades to build.”

He concluded by calling the recent arrests a reminder that “the law works” and urged all Ghanaians to guard the nation’s peace.

“Let us leave this hall today united in purpose — to honour our Creator through our love for one another, and to ensure that Ghana remains a beacon of light, tolerance, and justice for the world.”

May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.