Christian Aid Delegation calls on Inter-Religious Council
By George M. O. Williams
A delegation from Christian Aid on Monday, February 20, 2023, engaged the executives of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone in Freetown.
The dialogue to strengthen cohesive partnership was witnessed by members of the Council and it focused on sustainable peace building and dispute resolution.
A delegation from Christian Aid comprising the Chief Executive Officer Patrick Watts; Chair of the Board of Trustees Bishop Dr John Sentamu, and Director of International Programmes Ojobo Ode Atuluku is on weeklong visit to Sierra Leone.
The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bishop Dr John Sentamu said it is important to coordinate in the interest of peace and national cohesion through which religious disputes could be resolved.
He added that achieving peace building and poverty reduction require determination and effective engagement.
He said that Christian Aid seeks to tackle the root causes of poverty and to improve lives of the vulnerable through poverty mitigation projects and prevent violence against women through engagement that will change the lives of people.
He said that Sierra Leone is endowed with great beauty and caring people who are God fearing.
The Chief Executive Officer of Christian Aid, Patrick Watts said that the engagement with Inter-Religious Council could foster new opportunities and build their partnership.
He added the meeting with the Inter-Religious Council was apt and timely, adding that since 2005, a lot has changed in the country after the end of the civil war.
The General Secretary of the Inter Religious Council, Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah said that with their different religious beliefs they have being able to respect and involve in various traditional peace building processes.
He mentioned that the council is active at all level, noting that they have undertaken awareness campaigns that have led in conflict resolutions.
Rev Fornah outlined that the Council is mostly challenged to undertake activities that will make them achieve greater things because of lack of resources.
The Director of International Programmes, Ojobo Ode Atuluku said that Christian Aid has helped people in their different ways to improve their lives.
The President of the Inter Religious Council, Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles welcomed the Christian Aid team and thanked them for visiting Sierra Leone.