WA, Aug. 12, GNA- Mr. George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister, on Saturday noted that religion played an important role in social, spiritual and cultural development of the society and must be effectively applied for national development.

He said religious leaders must, therefore, be vigilant in order to prevent any tendency for religion to be used negatively, which could be a recipe for violence, destruction and underdevelopment.

Mr. Benson said these at Wa when he inaugurated a 30-member restructured inter-religious dialogue committee for the town. The Committee sought to bring Christians and Muslims in Wa together to enable them to work towards ensuring dialogue, respect, love and honesty among themselves.

Mr. Benson urged the Committee to initiate effective programmes to propagate its message, especially to the unemployed youth who were often used to cause confusion.

Some of the religious leaders at the function took turns to sensitise members of the Committee on how to use their faiths to promote peaceful co-existence. Most Reverend Paul Bemile, the Catholic Bishop of Wa, said it was the duty of both Christian and Moslems to shape the moral lives of Ghanaians since the two religious organisations believed in one God. "We are all challenged by the long time need for peace, security, defence of life and protection of environment and all resources of earth."

Alhaji Dawuud Yahaya, a representative of the Chief Imam of Wa, said peace without tolerance of one another's religious faith could result in conflicts and suggested that the Committees should be formed through out the country.

Mr. Mahmoud Khalid, Upper West Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Mission, noted that Islam had 73 different sects and only God could guide all of them to the truth. Reverend Father Aloysius Nuoabong, Coordinator of the Committee, urged Christians and Muslims and to be faithful to the God and work towards peace and love.