RELIGIOUS FREEDOM STRONG IN GHANA – U.S. REPORT

Public Affairs SectionEmbassy of the United States of America Accra

The United States Department of State on Tuesday released its 2009 International Religious Freedom Report, noting positive efforts by the Government of Ghana to promote interfaith understanding, and to respect religious freedom in practice.

Through the Annual Report, the United States encourages all nations to protect religious freedom and to promote religious tolerance for all groups and individuals. The report is released in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation noted in U.S. President Barrack Obama's landmark speech at Cairo University: "People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways." The report surveys those "many different ways" in 198 countries and territories.

The report, which covers a period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, notes that the Government of Ghana often took steps to promote interfaith understanding. “At government meetings and receptions Christian and Muslim prayers are used,” the report notes. “Occasionally there are indigenous invocations.” The report goes on to say that “throughout the reporting period, the President and Vice-President made public remarks about the importance of peaceful religious coexistence. President Mills received delegations of Christian and Muslim leaders soon after assuming office in January 2009 and called for the creation of national days of prayer for both Christians and Muslims. The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.”

Read the full report by visiting http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/index.htm. Visitors are also welcome at the U.S. Embassy Information Resource Center for a hard copy.

Development / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com