Ho, Sept. 10, GNA - The government abhors any form of religious persecution in the country and would, therefore, not be part of the degradation of any religion, Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, said on Friday.

At the regional celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, Mr Amenowode said this in reference to news reports about a Reverend Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainesville, Florida USA, threatening to burn the Quran in abhorrence of the "9/11", terrorists attack on the US by alleged agents of shadowy Moslem fundamentalist groups.

He said Ghana's Constitution allows for freedom of worship and reiterated the government's commitment to the Constitution to promote the rapid socio-economic development of the country.

Mr Amenowode, therefore, urged Moslems to exercise restrain and remain peaceful because they are a major partner of the State for national development.

He said: "like many religions, Islam is a strong partner of the State in all human endeavours."

He called for mutual trust and collaboration between the various religious groups.

Mr Amenowode said state and religious bodies' collaboration would tackle character formation among the citizenry, particularly the youth in these days of youth waywardness.

He said such collaboration in the Volta Region, for instance, could mitigate the rising incidents of armed robbery, defilement and rape.

Alhaji Hamza Danjumah, Volta Regional Chief Imam, called on the Christian Council of Ghana, the Bishops' Conference and Council of Charismatic Churches to condemn the threat by Pastor Terry Jones, for peaceful coexistence among all religious bodies.

He said melees resulting from reactions to such acts could lead to the death of several innocent people.

Alhaji Danjumah asked Moslems to comport themselves and "give the war to Allah."

"This war is not your war. It is for Allah, so give it to Him to fight on our behalf."

Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, urged all Moslems to get involved in the forthcoming national census.

Mr Amenowode later presented 100 bags of rice, 200 poly mats and 10 boxes of cooking oil to the Chief Imam, on behalf of the President.