Religion, Conflict Prevention and Peace Buildung in Westafrica
(Accra, 24.07.2009) Sixty high ranking Muslim and Christian religious leaders have expressed their will to promote reconciliation at a international Conference, held in the capital of Ghana July 20 to 24. They urge the national governments of West Africa and the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) for reponsible governance and democracy. At the same time they reject religious expansionist policies and the politization of religion. They see the churches as agents of peace and reconciliation.
The conference was addressed and opened by the Ghana Minister of Interior and had been organized by the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA). It counted with the presence of representatives of the World Council of Churches, the All Africa Conference of Churches, and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in Westafrica (FECCIWA). The participants came from 10 West African States that included Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia and Togo. Kefas Akundo from Nigeria, where inter-religious tensions have let to conflict and violence in the last years, has come to another level knowledge in respect of the work with muslim communities. He heads the Integrated Development Programme of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria and witnesses: "It was fascinating to me that I participated in the conference which served as an eye opener to challenges and opportunities the lie in the various two major religions."