Religious tolerance makes or breaks a peaceful society – MyJoyOnline

Report on Mafi Adidome’s Stance on Recent Criminal Allegations and Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The traditional leadership of Mafi Adidome, led by the Dufia, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, has issued a formal statement addressing and condemning allegations linking the community to recent ritual murders. The response strongly refutes these claims and aligns the community’s vision with key tenets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning peace, justice, and sustainable community development.

Upholding SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The leadership’s rebuttal directly supports the objectives of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. The Chief’s position is outlined as follows:

• Condemnation of Violence: The alleged acts were described as “barbaric, backwards, anti-social,” and a direct contradiction to the values of a progressive society, reinforcing the goal of significantly reducing all forms of violence (SDG Target 16.1).
• Clarification of Facts: A statement issued by Dr Gideon Quarcoo, Principal Elder, clarified that the individuals allegedly involved are not natives of Mafi Adidome, thereby seeking to protect the community from unjust association with criminal activity.
• Commitment to Rule of Law: Togbe Agyeman V affirmed that no cultural or religious belief can justify acts that undermine the sanctity of human life, describing the alleged murders as “criminal, uncivilised, anti-development and ungodly.” This stance promotes the rule of law at national and international levels (SDG Target 16.3).

Community Vision Aligned with SDGs 4, 8, and 11

The leadership of Mafi Adidome has reaffirmed its focus on a development agenda that is fundamentally opposed to criminality and superstition. This vision is rooted in principles that mirror several key SDGs.

1. SDG 4 (Quality Education): The leadership is committed to building a future founded on education, recognizing it as a cornerstone for sustainable development and social progress.
2. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The focus on economic empowerment aims to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the community.
3. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By describing Mafi Adidome as a “town of peace, vision, and development,” the leadership underscores its commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and resilient community.

Call for Collaborative Action Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Recognizing that addressing complex issues like crime requires collective effort, Togbe Agyeman V issued a call for enhanced collaboration, a core principle of SDG 17.

• Strengthening Partnerships: A direct appeal was made to the state, law enforcement agencies, and fellow traditional rulers to work together more effectively to “identify and uproot criminal elements in society.”
• Improving Institutional Frameworks: The Chief endorsed proposed reforms to the chieftaincy institution, specifically suggesting a review of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759). This reflects a commitment to strengthening local institutions to better serve their communities and contribute to national peace and development, in line with SDG 16.

Conclusion: A Community Focused on Sustainable Progress

In conclusion, the leadership of Mafi Adidome has unequivocally distanced the community from the alleged criminal acts. While extending condolences to the bereaved families and supporting the pursuit of justice, the statement firmly positions Mafi Adidome as a forward-looking community. The leadership’s declared priorities of education, economic empowerment, and peaceful coexistence demonstrate a strong alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing its identity as a hospitable, law-abiding, and business-friendly environment dedicated to progress.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on promoting a peaceful society by condemning violent crimes (“ritual murders”). The chief’s call for justice for the victims, the need to uphold the rule of law, and the emphasis on collaboration between traditional leadership and state security agencies to combat crime directly align with the objectives of SDG 16. The article highlights the role of community leaders (“traditional leaders”) in maintaining peace and ensuring the safety and well-being of their society, which is a core component of building strong, local institutions.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article directly addresses this target by discussing and condemning “ritual murders.” The chief describes these acts as undermining “the sanctity of human life.” His entire statement is a call to action to prevent such violence and protect the community, thereby contributing to the reduction of violence-related deaths.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • This target is reflected in the chief’s call for the “pursuit of justice” for the bereaved families. By urging law enforcement to “identify and uproot criminal elements,” he is advocating for the enforcement of laws and the proper functioning of the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable.
3. Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
   • The chief’s appeal for the government and security agencies to “work more closely with us [traditional leaders] to eliminate such criminal activities” is a direct call to strengthen institutional capacity through collaboration. This highlights the need for partnerships between state and traditional institutions to effectively prevent and combat crime at the community level.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: Incidence of intentional homicide.
   • While the article does not provide statistics, the discussion of “ritual murders” directly implies the occurrence of intentional homicides. The success of efforts to address this issue would be measured by a reduction in such violent crimes, which aligns with Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population).
2. Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: Effectiveness of the justice system in addressing crime.
   • The call for a “pursuit of justice” and the need to “uproot criminal elements” imply a need for an effective response from law enforcement and the judiciary. An indicator of progress would be the rate at which these murder cases are investigated, and perpetrators are successfully prosecuted and brought to justice.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 16.A: Level of cooperation between state and non-state institutions.
   • The chief’s specific call for security agencies to “work more closely” with traditional rulers suggests that the current level of collaboration is a key area for improvement. An indicator of progress would be the existence and effectiveness of formal and informal mechanisms for cooperation between traditional leaders and state law enforcement in crime prevention and response.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: myjoyonline.com