The United States Africa Command has stressed that religion remains a critical factor in achieving regional stability, ethical leadership and military readiness across West Africa, saying military institutions cannot effectively respond to the region’s complex security challenges without recognising the central role of faith.
The Command Chaplain at U.S. Africa Command, Chaplain Colonel Kevin Forrester, spoke during a virtual media briefing on Tuesday as part of the events of the ongoing West Africa Religious Affairs Symposium in Accra, Ghana.
Speaking, Forrester stated that religion influences virtually every African society and should be regarded as a strategic asset rather than a peripheral issue.
The symposium, jointly hosted by U.S. Africa Command and the Ghana Armed Forces, brings together military chaplains and religious leaders from 10 West African countries, along with representatives of the U.S. State Partnership Programme.
According to him, all participating countries share a common commitment to protecting the spiritual well-being of their military personnel while respecting the diverse religious traditions represented within their armed forces.
