INTERFAITH RESEARCH AND RESOURCE CENTRE
GHANA

In 2006, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana established a special Interfaith Research and Resource Centre. Originally housed at the Akrofi Christaller Institute, it is now a mobile ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to resource the church in its understanding of Islam and traditional African religions, to help Christians witness in these contexts, and to develop relationships with peoples of other faiths that help people of both faiths go beyond stereotypes.

Across Africa, there are countless numbers of multi-faith families where people of different religious persuasions live together in peace.  For a long time, Ghana’s population, which is about 70 percent Christian, 15 percent Muslim, and the remainder traditional African religions, has been a haven of peace and political stability in a volatile and unstable region.  This has made Ghana an ideal place for good developmental initiatives as well as a possible base for fundamentalist religious groups covertly and overtly seeking to influence the socio-political, educational and economical order. 

Middle Eastern countries have established and continue to fund several initiatives in Ghana.  Scholarships are offered to young Muslims to study Islam in Arab countries.  As a direct result, in the last decade there have been numerous instances of tension and open conflicts involving Christians and Muslims.  Meanwhile, the churches are unaware as to how to respond to these challenges.  Preparing, informing, equipping and inspiring religious leaders, politicians and academicians to meet the challenges of new emerging multi-faith environment is crucial.  It is this need that the proposed Interfaith Research and Resource Center intends to meet. Funds raised will be used for operations and research as well as material production.