Ghana’s president, John A. Kufuor, received 10 representatives from the All-Africa Congress on Religious Liberty and welcomed the opportunity to speak on his convictions regarding such fundamental freedoms. The meeting is the second such event on the continent since 1991. The meetings were held April 25 to 27 in Accra, Ghana with a theme of Religious Liberty: Co-existence in Peace and Freedom in Diversity.

“It comes very natural to us to respect the right to freedom,” the president told visitors, noting Ghana subscribes to all international human rights agreements. “When we heard you were coming we were delighted at this Congress on freedom. It is a great honor for us that you chose to come to Ghana for this event; indeed you are paying a great tribute to me and my government.”

He also shared his views on religious diversity.

“I also like the idea of all religions attending this Congress,” he noted. “Unfortunately much of our world today is suffering because of many conflicts and misunderstandings over religion. If we as individuals express ourselves and understand each other, then religious extremism will be done away with and this will make for happier times and a more peaceful world.”

Leading the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) delegation was Dr. John Graz, secretary-general. “We appreciated being received by the president, and particularly his supportive comments about the importance of religious freedom and the need to combat religious intolerance. We believe it is possible to have strong religious convictions yet still live together, respecting each other,” Graz commented. “The Congress has been a great success, with significant media coverage and good local interest. We are especially delighted for the interest shown by the president, and as we concluded in our final Congress declaration, we praise the high standard of religious freedom which prevails in Ghana.”

The Congress brought together dignitaries, experts, and religious leaders from more than 60 countries across Africa and beyond to highlight the urgent cause of religious freedom.  According to Graz: “Too many conflicts in our world today have a religious component and we need to make sure that religion is not used as a weapon of violence.”

Experts and representatives of the IRLA from the United States, Switzerland, England, and China made other presentations.

“In today’s global community, religious freedom is under great threat,” said Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations representative for the IRLA. “Religious-inspired violence is on the increase, with extremism and intolerance becoming the norm. We believe this vital Congress will provide the opportunity for people of many faiths to interact, and to work together on solutions to the various religious freedom and human rights issues across this great continent.”

“Certainly this is a hot issue,” adds Dr. Japheth Agboka, regional IRLA representative and primary event organizer. “We hope to make a contribution to the fundamental rights of religious liberty and freedom of conscience through this event and through the use of materials developed here in Accra.”

Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has promoted and defended religious freedom for more than a century. Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church originally organized the IRLA and its purpose is universal and non-denominational, seeking to address religious freedom concerns from all faith communities.