A special release by Amb. Dr. Tivlumun Innocent Ahure, the Global Director General/Ambassador-at-Large and Administrator of the Africa Region HQ Secretariat of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Relief Fund Trust with Special UN Consultative Status has pointed out that it is pertaining to the objective of attaining mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue which constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace that the Africa Indigenous Religions Committee of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) was established and mandated as it’s organ that concentrates on Interfaith Harmony and devises ways to promote harmony between all African peoples regardless of their faith.

The release remarked that Chief Peter Gyawu-Kyem, Nii Osabu Baffour-Awuah Mpese 1, (Kingmaker/Mpese Royal Stool), King Kpowullenu Allohmadzi 1, Ghana Chief of Adjarra, Benin has been given appointment and accorded recognition by the IHRC RFT regarding the work of the IHRC Africa Indigenous Religions Committee. This appointment is for the respected Chief Peter Gyawu-Kyem to serve as member of the IHRC Committee of African Indigenous Religions and overseeing the Public Relations Desk for the Committee as well as special member representing Ghana. In a charge to the appointee, the Chairman of the IHRC African Indigenous Religions Committee, His Most Supreme Eminence Dr. Sir, Valentine Akpati, Traditional Representative of the Ogbe-Ogume Traditional Council, Protector of the Realm and Central Chancellery of the Knighthood of the Order of Emperor Haile Selassie urged the new member of the committee to put his doggedness into the work of the committee in recognition of the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among African peoples. Dr. Akpati enjoined the entire members of IHRC and other international organizations to encourage his committee in their work to spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship on a voluntary basis.

In his appreciation of the honour on him, Chief Peter Gyawu-Kyem pointed out that the IHRC RFT Committee on African Indigenous Religions has to consciously plan the regular commemoration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), conceived by the United Nations to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence, first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations in 2010. This was quickly adopted by the UN General Assembly (resolution A/RES/65/5), declaring the first week of February each year as World Interfaith Harmony week, calling on governments, institutions and civil society to observe it with various programs and initiatives that would promote the aim of the WIHW objectives. Chief Peter Gyawu-Kyem said by the Grace of God, he will work with a total commitment to pursue a course that will benefit Africa by contributing efforts for commemorating the WIHW in Ghana in the month of February, 2024. “I will work very closely with the office of the Chairman of the African Indigenous Religions Committee of the IHRC Africa Region HQ to get the Ghana authorities to see that the holding of this commemoration is not only held by February 2024 but this will be in future held on a regular basis.

This structure for the unity of religions focuses on the dreams and visions of the United Nations Interfaith and Harmony. One way that the IHRC plans to sustain the work of the committee is the establishment of an award for Interfaith Unity for Peace Revival and Reconciliation in Africa. The award is bestowed on personalities who stand against Religious Discriminations who are champions of interfaith dialogue and the fight against extremism. All persons appointed into this committee have been adjudged to possess personal and permanent commitment to the defence of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance and diversity.