The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) remains at the forefront of the international effort to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) as a fundamental human right. Through dynamic partnerships, strategic advocacy, and inclusive convenings, GPF has contributed to the development of a growing movement aimed at securing conscience rights for everyone, regardless of faith tradition, background, or geography.
Dr. Paul Murray at the International Religious Freedom roundtable in Ghana.
This commitment was on full display from May 5 to 7, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, where Dr. Paul Murray, GPF’s International Vice President for Freedom of Conscience, Belief, and Religion, returned as a speaker and facilitator at the IRF Roundtable. Hosted in collaboration with The Sanneh Institute (TSI) and the IRF Secretariat, the gathering drew participants from various religious, civic, and professional sectors to address emerging threats to religious freedom and develop practical, cooperative solutions.
This year’s convening marked more than just a discussion; it served as a launchpad for regional action. Through GPF’s close collaborative partnership with the IRF Secretariat, of which Dr. Paul Murray is a founding board member and serves as Vice Chairman and Chair of its Global Council, and in coordination with The Sanneh Institute (TSI), the West Africa Regional IRF Secretariat was formally established to advance coordinated efforts across the subcontinent. The newly formed Secretariat will support national roundtables, promote multi-faith collaboration, align regional priorities with global IRF initiatives, and serve as a hub of innovation and support for West Africa’s vibrant civil society.
Speakers at the IRF roundtable in Ghana.
“Real impact happens when diverse NGOs unite with a shared purpose to tackle the challenges we all face. Collaboration over competition is the key,” said Dr. Murray during the Accra Roundtable. “When we invest in human capital, through education, religious understanding, and civic engagement, we build resilient societies and thriving economies.”
GPF’s work in Ghana reflects its broader global strategy: foster local leadership, promote principled engagement, and co-lead where possible to build sustainable structures that defend and expand FoRB. The collaboration with institutions like TSI and emerging networks such as Lyn Community is evidence of a maturing ecosystem of organizations committed to FoRB across education, business, religious institutions, and policy sectors.
Participants at the Accra Roundtable represented a remarkable cross-section of Ghanaian society, including educators, imams, pastors, business leaders, governmental leaders, traditional authorities, and youth advocates. The sessions addressed complex questions, from the encroachment of one religious tradition upon another in public schools to the challenge of upholding FoRB in a pluralistic society with minimal regulation. Yet a consensus emerged: civil society must lead, and inclusive, principled dialogue is the path forward.
Professor John Azumah, Executive Director of The Sanneh Institute, reminded the gathering:
“Religious freedom means acknowledging others, not making them invisible. It’s about sensitivity, sharing stories, and speaking up for one another.”
As GPF continues to deepen its presence across West Africa and globally, its impact in the FoRB space is rooted in a distinctive approach, building partnerships grounded in universal principles and shared values that transcend cultural, political, and religious boundaries. Rather than merely offering a seat at the table, GPF fosters a space where all stakeholders are owners in the pursuit of peace. This inclusive model unites diverse communities around a common cause, empowering them to speak and act with one voice in defending the dignity of conscience and belief and building a future where all can live in mutual respect and shared prosperity.
