Davis Mac-Iyalla walks with love as his compass. In every forum, every retreat, every gathering, he speaks not from bitterness—but from a wellspring of compassion. His voice does not echo hate. It carries healing.
He reminds us that advocacy is not about opposition—it’s about invitation. An invitation to dignity, to truth, to spiritual belonging. Davis’s heart holds no space for hate, because it is already full—with the names of ancestors, the hopes of the marginalized, and the sacred fire of Ubuntu.
“We do not simply work—we serve. Our advocacy is not a task, but a calling.” — Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla
This calling is rooted in love. Fierce love. Tender love. Love that builds altars, not walls.
IDNOWA Celebrates Historic Appointment of Archbishop Cherry Vann
The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) warmly welcomes and celebrates the groundbreaking appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann as Archbishop of the Church in Wales — the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ clergy to lead any of Britain’s Anglican churches.
Archbishop Vann’s elevation marks a profound moment of progress for inclusive faith leadership. Her journey — from being among the first women ordained in the Church of England in 1994 to her current role — reflects a courageous commitment to justice, compassion, and spiritual authenticity. As a member of the Open Table Network and someone who lives openly with her civil partner, Wendy, Vann embodies the values of love, integrity, and belonging.
This appointment sends a powerful message to LGBTQ+ people of faith across the globe: that their identities are not barriers to spiritual leadership, but blessings to be embraced. It affirms the sacred worth of all people and the transformative potential of inclusive ministry.
IDNOWA stands in solidarity with Archbishop Vann and all those who continue to break barriers in religious spaces. We believe her leadership will inspire healing, dialogue, and renewal within the Church and beyond.
We call on faith communities across Africa and the world to reflect on this milestone and recommit to building spaces where all people — regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or background — can thrive spiritually and lead with dignity.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa Email: interfaithdiversitynowa@gmail.com
Press Release For Immediate Release Date: 11 August 2025 Contact: Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Email: info@idnowa.org
IDNOWA Leads Bold Dialogue on Human Rights and Inclusion Amid Ghana’s Anti-LGBT Bill Debate
Accra, Ghana — On 4 August 2025, the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) hosted a landmark sensitization workshop aimed at promoting human rights awareness and fostering inclusive dialogue among religious and traditional leaders. The event comes at a critical time, as Ghana’s Parliament reconsiders the controversial anti-LGBT bill, raising alarm among civil society and international observers.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of faith leaders, human rights educators, and civil society representatives to explore the intersection of religion, culture, and inclusion. Through presentations, group discussions, and personal storytelling, participants examined the social and legal implications of the proposed legislation and reaffirmed their commitment to dignity and equality for all.
“This workshop is not just a conversation—it’s a commitment to justice,” said Davis Mac-Iyalla, Executive Director of IDNOWA. “We must continue to challenge exclusionary narratives and empower leaders to stand for compassion and equality.”
IDNOWA has been at the forefront of promoting inclusion across West Africa, using interfaith dialogue to dismantle stigma and build bridges between communities. The organization’s ongoing efforts include educational outreach, advocacy campaigns, and strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders.
Key Outcomes: Increased empathy and understanding among religious leaders.
Commitments to promote inclusive practices within faith communities.
Heightened awareness of the anti-LGBT bill’s risks to civil liberties.
Recommendations: Continued engagement through follow-up workshops.
Development of tailored educational materials for faith communities.
Strengthened partnerships with advocacy groups to support inclusive policy dialogue.
This workshop underscores IDNOWA’s unwavering dedication to human rights and its strategic role in shaping a more inclusive West Africa.
For interviews, media inquiries, or further information, please contact: IDNOWA Communications Team 📧 info@idnowa.org 🌐 Visit our press page
Davis Mac Iyalla, a queer spiritual leader and out gay chief in Ghana, embodies defiant visibility and ancestral wisdom in equal measure
Ghana’s Parliament has reopened debate on one of Africa’s toughest anti LGBTQ+ bills, just a year after the previous version expired without presidential assent.
The reintroduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to raise prison terms for same sex intimacy and criminalise “promotion” of queer rights.
Yet even as legislators press ahead, a very different story is unfolding in the fishing town of Yamonransa on the country’s Cape Coast.
There, Nana Kwaku Gyasi, Chief Davis Mac Iyalla, who is also Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), is teaching that visibility itself can be an act of love.
“I came out the day I was born”
Mac Iyalla rejects western notions of a single, dramatic “coming out.”
“I came out to the world the day I was born,” he tells MambaOnline. “My concept of coming out is about speaking out, using your voice to challenge injustice.”
That conviction first catapulted him into headlines a quarter century ago, when he confronted the Anglican Church of Nigeria over its homophobia.
Today he carries the same fire into Ghanaian life, defiantly testifying before Parliament against the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and preaching inclusion from pulpits across West Africa.
Chosen by the ancestors
Three years ago, Mac Iyalla was lifted onto a traditional palanquin (also known as a litter, used to carry chiefs, kings, and other important figures during ceremonies and festivals) and installed as Amankorehen (development chief) of Yamonransa.
Some rival chiefs tried, literally, to topple him; the palanquin collapsed and tabloids declared that “the gods had rejected” a gay chief.
The activist tells a very different story: “I was chosen by the ancestors,” he says. “If homosexuality were truly a taboo, I would never have been allowed to sit on the stool.” (In Ghanaian chieftaincy, the stool is not just a seat but a central symbol of leadership and authority.)
His stool still stands. So do his community projects: youth apprenticeships, widows’ micro grants and IDNOWA’s dialogue circles that bring imams, pastors and traditional priests to the same table.
Chief Davis Mac Iyalla being carried on a traditional palanquin used during ceremonies and festivals
An out gay chief changing hearts at village level
While urban activists tweet and rally, Mac Iyalla works face to face with local “gate keepers”, chiefs, queen mothers and clan elders whose word shapes daily life.
“Most people don’t care about my sexuality,” he explains. “They care about the development I bring.”
That pragmatism is paying off. Elders who once kept silent now greet him publicly; church women volunteer at IDNOWA food drives; parents ask how to protect queer children rather than punish them.
“Changing attitudes takes time,” the chief says, “but conversations have begun, and that is huge for West Africa.”
Faith without fear
For Mac Iyalla, queer joy is inseparable from spirituality. IDNOWA’s credo is simple: “All humans are born free and equal.”
Founded in 2016, the network spans 11 West African countries, equipping clergy and activists to confront religiously framed homophobia with scripture, history and Ubuntu ethics.
Last September, Mac Iyalla preached in the Netherlands, urging Christians to “reshape the world by speaking out against all forms of injustice.”
A message to queer African youth
“You are not a taboo. You are not ‘un-African’. Same sex love existed on this continent long before colonial missionaries,” Mac Iyalla asserts.
“If God and your ancestors are with you, no weapon fashioned by anti gender movements will succeed.”
He urges young people who feel safe enough to “take the risk and be counted,” while reminding them that leadership also happens quietly, in classrooms, clinics and marketplaces where queer Africans already serve.
Why this story matters
Mac Iyalla’s journey does not erase Ghana’s political peril, but it illuminates a parallel reality: LGBTQ+ Ghanaians are farmers, teachers, chiefs and prayer leaders. They are “everywhere,” as he likes to say, and in many cases they are thriving.
In a season when anti queer rhetoric dominates headlines, Chief Davis Mac Iyalla stands as living proof that African tradition can coexist with and celebrate queer identity. His life invites us to imagine a future in which ancestral stools make room for every kind of child born to the continent.
Until that day arrives, he will keep doing what chiefs are meant to do: build, protect and speak the truth. And that, in itself, is queer joy.
The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) brings together 44 member states, intergovernmental organisations and more than 100 civil society organisations to advance the rights and dignity of LGTBI communities globally. On behalf of the members of the ERC, Co-Chairs Colombia and Spain, with the support of Caribe Afirmativo and FundaciónTriángulo, declare:
That we reject all legislative amendments that seek to limit and restrict the right of LGBTI people and their allies to public assembly, public expression and privacy, under the pretext of protecting children and adolescents.
That these legislative amendments, which portray LGBTI people in a way that reinforces negative stereotypes, have serious consequences for the lives and human rights of LGBTI people, including LGBTI minors, such as prohibiting and limiting their participation in public life and generating a context of social stigmatisation that promotes and legitimises violence, discrimination and harassment.
That prohibiting by law the free expression of diversity, in books, films, performances, theatre, music or any other cultural expression, is a form of censorship that undermines human rights and democratic values and increases the vulnerability of LGBTI people. That curtailing the freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people, limiting or preventing public demonstration, or preventing the free expression and gender identity of transgender people, contradicts the fundamental values of dignity, freedom, equality and human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
That the efforts of governments and civil society in many regions of the world to promote freedom of expression and assembly of LGBTI people should be recognised and that countries and civil society should continue to share good practices and inclusive legislation.
We therefore call on governments and international and regional organisations to reject such legislative provisions as they undermine the rights of LGBTI people, and the principles and values of democracy and human rights.
In plural and tolerant societies that respect diversity, there is no place for the prohibition of a free and non-violent demonstration such as LGBTI Pride.
Statement by the co-chairs of the ERC, Colombia and Spain, on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition.
The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) extends our heartfelt wishes to all our Muslim members, partners, and allies as you celebrate Eid al-Adha. May this blessed occasion bring you and your loved ones peace, joy, and renewed strength in faith.
As a community rooted in diversity, inclusion, and respect for all beliefs, we celebrate the values of sacrifice, compassion, and unity that Eid embodies.
We are grateful for your continued contributions to our shared vision of justice, dignity, and equality for all, regardless of faith, orientation, or background. Eid Mubarak!
Mr. Davis Mac-Iyalla Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa
One hundred days after the brutal assassination of queer Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a sacred space was created in his memory—one that held grief, celebrated resistance, and dared to imagine a world where queer love and faith not only coexist but flourish.
Davis Mac-Iyalla, CEO of IDNOWA, was there in person as the Imam is personally known to him, and they have collaborated on several interfaith leadership spaces.
Featured Photo: A portrait of Imam Hendrick by artist Seth Deacon was unveiled during the powerful evening of reflection and resistance. (Photos: Daniela Zondagh)
On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) 2025, the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) stands in solidarity with LGBTQI+ individuals across the region and globally. This year’s powerful theme: “The Power of Communities,” reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive and affirming spaces within faith-based communities and beyond.
In West Africa, where LGBTQI+ individuals often face profound discrimination, stigma, and violence, the strength of supportive communities is not just a comfort, but a lifeline. IDNOWA recognizes the vital role that faith communities can play in either perpetuating or dismantling harmful narratives. We believe that true faith is rooted in love, compassion, and justice, values that must extend to all members of our human family, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, we cannot ignore the stark realities faced by LGBTIQ+ communities in our member countries. The likes of Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo and others, such as:
Criminalization and Legal Persecution: In several West African nations, same-sex relationships are criminalized, leading to arrests, imprisonment, and severe penalties. This creates a climate of fear and forces LGBTIQ+ individuals to live in hiding, denying them basic human rights.
Violence and Discrimination: LGBTIQ+ individuals are frequently subjected to physical and verbal violence, harassment, and discrimination in various settings, including families, schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
Lack of Access to Essential Services: LGBTIQ+ people face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, education, and other essential services due to
Religious Intolerance: Misinterpretations and weaponization of religious texts fuel prejudice and hatred towards LGBTIQ+ individuals. This results in social ostracization, family rejection, and the denial of spiritual support.
Increased Anti-trans Sentiment: There is a growing wave of hateful rhetoric and legislation targeting transgender people specifically.
State-sanctioned Voilence: In some member countries, law enforcement participates in the harassment and assault of LGBTIQ+ individuals. This can include extortion, unlawful arrests, and physical violence.
“The Power of Communities” underscores the transformative potential of collective action. IDNOWA is dedicated to building bridges of understanding and acceptance within religious institutions, challenging discriminatory ideologies, and promoting dialogues that affirms the dignity and worth of every person.
IDNOWA calls on religious leaders, policymakers, and community members to join us in embracing the power of communities to create a world where everyone can live with dignity and respect. We must challenge harmful narratives, promote inclusive policies, and build bridges of understanding across lines of difference.
For this IDAHOBIT 2025, let us renew our commitment to building communities where love triumphs over hate, and where every person is celebrated for who they are.
Together, we are unstoppable.
Together, we are the power of communities.
Mr. Davis Mac-Iyalla Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa.
On 7th March 2025 IDNOWA hosted a successful traditional and religious leaders engagement in Cape Coast Ghana. Highlights of the conversation was safety and security for the marginalised community.
On this special occasion of Ghana’s Independence Day, Idnowa joins the nation in celebrating the rich history, resilience, and spirit of unity that defines Ghana. As we mark the 6th of March, we honor the sacrifices made by our forebears and their unwavering commitment to the freedom and progress we continue to enjoy today.
Ghana’s journey of independence has been one of determination, courage, and collective effort, and we remain inspired by the nation’s growth and achievements. As Ghanaians celebrate this monumental day, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ghana and wish everyone a joyful and reflective celebration.
Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa 