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Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Cotonou Declaration 2026 Adopted at Regional Human Rights Conference Porto‑Novo, Benin | 23 August 2026

https://itdnowa.org/2026/08/26/cotonou-declaration-2026/

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) has concluded its Regional Human Rights Conference and 10th Anniversary Celebration, held from 21–23 August 2026 in Porto‑Novo, Benin, under the theme “Faith, Dignity and Community Resilience.” Participants from eleven West African countries gathered to assess the realities facing LGBTQI+ persons, strengthen interfaith solidarity, and reaffirm the role of faith communities in advancing human dignity.

Country reports highlighted rising hostility, criminalization efforts, registration denials, and faith‑based discrimination across the region. Despite these challenges, the conference celebrated encouraging developments, including the Anglican Church of Ghana’s rejection of calls for criminalization, emerging civil society dialogue in Togo, and Benin’s open civic environment that continues to support inclusive organizing.

The conference concluded with the adoption of the Cotonou Declaration 2026, outlining ten priority commitments: expanding interfaith advocacy, promoting mental health and trauma‑informed care, advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, strengthening leadership and community empowerment, protecting civic space, mobilizing sustainable resources, engaging regional and international human rights mechanisms, promoting inclusion and justice, ensuring representation of trans, intersex, and disabled persons, and advancing language justice and mentorship.

“Faith must be a source of dignity, not discrimination. As IDNOWA marks ten years, we renew our commitment to building a West Africa where every person can live free from fear and exclusion,” said Davis Mac‑Iyalla, Executive Director of IDNOWA.

The Declaration was endorsed by IDNOWA and partner organizations including PORSH, EVAB, ACJESPN, ASAJ‑Bénin, GAIC, AGIR International, Key Watch Ghana/Intersex Movement of Ghana, Center for Youth Empowerment Health Advocacy Initiative (Nigeria), GNRC, GIN‑SOGIE, Orange Initiative (Nigeria), TFAM Global, FRRN, and Pan Africa ILGA.

Media Contact: interfaithdiversitynowa@gmail.com
www.idnowa.org

COTONOU DECLARATION 2026
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COTONOU DECLARATION 2026

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Faith, Dignity and Community Resilience Porto-Novo, Benin Republic | 21–23 August 2026

Preamble

We, the representatives of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), drawn from eleven countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo—gathered in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, from 21–23 August 2026 to commemorate the Network’s tenth anniversary and participate in a regional conference under the theme “Faith, Dignity and Community Resilience.”

Over the course of three days, participants reflected on the realities facing LGBTQI+ persons and organizations across West Africa, shared experiences of resilience and resistance, and explored the role of faith, community care, and human rights advocacy in promoting dignity, inclusion, and social justice.

Country reports highlighted specific concerns, including escalating risks in Nigeria; legislative threats in Ghana; bureaucratic restrictions in The Gambia; hostile social environments in Mali and Burkina Faso; registration denials in Togo and Liberia; increasing religious homophobia in Benin; legal ambiguity and social stigma in Sierra Leone; intensifying criminalization efforts in Senegal; and aggressive enforcement of anti-LGBTQI+ laws in Cameroon.

Positive Developments

The conference acknowledged encouraging developments across the region, including:

  • The rejection by the Anglican Church of Ghana of calls for the criminalization and imprisonment of LGBTQI+ persons, recognized as a significant outcome of sustained interfaith engagement.
  • Emerging dialogue opportunities between civil society actors and stakeholders in Togo.
  • The relatively open civic environment in Benin that continues to enable organizations to operate and engage communities.

Regional Trends

Recurring trends identified across member countries include:

  • Closure or deregistration of organizations under anti-LGBTQI+ laws and policies.
  • Denial of organizational registration and declining funding opportunities.
  • Homelessness arising from family rejection.
  • Growing unemployment linked to workplace discrimination.
  • Housing discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons.
  • Increasing faith-based hostility and exclusion.
  • Limited access to mental health and psychosocial support services.

Commitments and Priority Actions

We, the participants of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Conference, commit ourselves to the following priorities and actions:

1. Strengthen Interfaith Advocacy and Religious Solidarity

Sustain and expand interfaith engagement across member countries, engage progressive faith leaders, document violations, and amplify faith-based voices that promote inclusion, dignity, justice, and human rights.

2. Promote Community Care, Healing, and Wellbeing

Advance initiatives that address trauma, strengthen resilience, challenge harmful narratives, and expand access to mental health and psychosocial support for LGBTQI+ persons and other marginalized populations.

3. Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

Promote cross-country dialogue, faith engagement, and support for faith champions advocating for inclusive, rights-based, and evidence-informed approaches.

4. Build Knowledge, Capacity, and Community Empowerment

Utilize expertise within the Network and among partners to strengthen scriptural literacy, self-preservation, leadership development, and civic participation.

5. Protect Civic Space and Support At-Risk Organizations

Foster collaboration among organizations facing deregistration, closure, or restrictions; strengthen institutional sustainability; and pursue legal remedies, strategic litigation, and protective interventions where necessary.

6. Strengthen Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

Collaborate with legal experts, human rights organizations, technical partners, and allies across Africa and beyond to increase impact, visibility, technical support, and access to sustainable funding.

7. Advance Equality Through Advocacy and Accountability

Advocate for protective laws and policies, engage regional and international human rights mechanisms including CEDAW and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), monitor state commitments, and demand accountability for implementation.

8. Promote Inclusion, Dignity, and Justice in All Spaces

Affirm that religion must never be used as a tool of exclusion, discrimination, or violence; encourage responsible digital engagement; support inclusive faith practices; and ensure linguistic and regional inclusion, particularly for Francophone communities and other underrepresented groups.

9. Ensure Inclusion Within the Network

Intentionally include transgender persons, particularly trans men, intersex persons, LGBTQI+ persons with disability, and other underrepresented groups in leadership, programming, and decision-making structures.

10. Commit to Language Justice and Mentorship

Accelerate language justice initiatives to ensure that no one is left behind, and promote mentorship and intergenerational dialogue as essential tools for knowledge transfer, leadership development, and community resilience.

Conclusion

As we commemorate ten years of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa, we reaffirm our commitment to building societies where faith and human dignity coexist, where diversity is respected, and where every individual can live free from fear, discrimination, and exclusion.

Adopted in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, on this 23rd day of August 2026.

Signatures

Signed by:

Davis Mac‑Iyalla Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

  1. Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health (PORSH)
  2. Espoir Vie Ane-en-cill Benin (EVAB)
  3. Association pour la Conscientisation de la Jeunesse et l’Entraide de Socialité de Porto-Novo (ACJESPN)
  4. Alliance pour la Solidarité et l’Aide à la Jeunesse du Bénin (ASAJ-Bénin)
  5. Groupe d’Actions pour l’Inclusion Communautaire (GAIC)
  6. AGIR International
  7. Key Watch Ghana / Intersex Movement of Ghana
  8. Center for Youth Empowerment Health Advocacy Initiative, Nigeria
  9. Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC)
  10. Global Interfaith Network (GIN-SOGIE)
  11. Orange Initiative for Improved Mental Health & Rights, Nigeria
  12. The Fellowship of Affirming Global Ministries (TFAM)
  13. Flourish Rights and Resilience Network (FRRN)
  14. Pan Africa ILGA

FRENCH

DÉCLARATION DE COTONOU 2026

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) Foi, Dignité et Résilience Communautaire Porto-Novo, République du Bénin | 21–23 août 2026

Préambule

Nous, les représentant·e·s du Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), provenant de onze pays — Bénin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Gambie, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sénégal, Sierra Leone et Togo — réunis à Porto-Novo, République du Bénin, du 21 au 23 août 2026, pour commémorer le dixième anniversaire du Réseau et participer à une conférence régionale sur le thème « Foi, Dignité et Résilience Communautaire ».

Pendant trois jours, les participant·e·s ont réfléchi aux réalités auxquelles sont confrontées les personnes et organisations LGBTQI+ en Afrique de l’Ouest, ont partagé des expériences de résilience et de résistance, et ont exploré le rôle de la foi, du soin communautaire et du plaidoyer pour les droits humains dans la promotion de la dignité, de l’inclusion et de la justice sociale.

Les rapports nationaux ont mis en lumière des préoccupations spécifiques, notamment l’escalade des risques au Nigeria ; les menaces législatives au Ghana ; les restrictions bureaucratiques en Gambie ; des environnements sociaux hostiles au Mali et au Burkina Faso ; des refus d’enregistrement au Togo et au Liberia ; une homophobie religieuse croissante au Bénin ; une ambiguïté juridique et une stigmatisation sociale en Sierra Leone ; des efforts de criminalisation intensifiés au Sénégal ; et une application agressive des lois anti-LGBTQI+ au Cameroun.

Évolutions Positives

La conférence a également reconnu des avancées encourageantes dans la région, notamment :

  • Le rejet par l’Église anglicane du Ghana des appels à criminaliser et emprisonner les personnes LGBTQI+, considéré comme un résultat significatif d’un engagement interreligieux soutenu.
  • L’émergence de nouvelles opportunités de dialogue entre acteurs de la société civile et parties prenantes au Togo.
  • Un environnement civique relativement ouvert au Bénin, permettant aux organisations d’opérer et d’engager les communautés.

Tendances Régionales

Les participant·e·s ont identifié plusieurs tendances récurrentes dans les pays membres :

  • Fermeture ou radiation d’organisations en vertu de lois et politiques anti-LGBTQI+.
  • Refus d’enregistrement et diminution des opportunités de financement.
  • Sans-abrisme dû au rejet familial.
  • Chômage croissant lié à la discrimination en milieu professionnel.
  • Discrimination en matière de logement.
  • Hostilité et exclusion croissantes fondées sur la religion.
  • Accès limité aux services de santé mentale et de soutien psychosocial.

Engagements et Priorités

Nous, participant·e·s à la Conférence IDNOWA, nous engageons à poursuivre les priorités et actions suivantes :

1. Renforcer le Plaidoyer Interreligieux et la Solidarité Religieuse

Soutenir et étendre l’engagement interreligieux, mobiliser des leaders religieux progressistes, documenter les violations et amplifier les voix de foi qui promeuvent l’inclusion, la dignité, la justice et les droits humains.

2. Promouvoir le Soin Communautaire, la Guérison et le Bien‑être

Développer des initiatives qui abordent les traumatismes, renforcent la résilience, contestent les récits nuisibles et élargissent l’accès au soutien psychosocial et à la santé mentale.

3. Avancer les Droits et la Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive (DSSR)

Encourager le dialogue transnational, l’engagement religieux et le soutien aux champions de la foi qui défendent des approches inclusives, fondées sur les droits et les preuves.

4. Renforcer les Connaissances, les Capacités et l’Autonomisation Communautaire

Mobiliser l’expertise du Réseau et de ses partenaires pour renforcer la littératie scripturaire, l’auto‑préservation, le développement du leadership et la participation civique.

5. Protéger l’Espace Civique et Soutenir les Organisations à Risque

Favoriser la collaboration entre organisations confrontées à la radiation ou aux restrictions ; renforcer la durabilité institutionnelle ; et poursuivre des recours juridiques, des litiges stratégiques et des interventions protectrices lorsque nécessaire.

6. Renforcer les Partenariats Stratégiques et la Mobilisation des Ressources

Collaborer avec des experts juridiques, des organisations de droits humains, des partenaires techniques et des alliés en Afrique et au-delà pour accroître l’impact, la visibilité et l’accès à un financement durable.

7. Promouvoir l’Égalité par le Plaidoyer et la Redevabilité

Plaider pour des lois et politiques protectrices, engager les mécanismes régionaux et internationaux tels que la CEDEF et l’Examen Périodique Universel (EPU), surveiller les engagements des États et exiger la redevabilité.

8. Promouvoir l’Inclusion, la Dignité et la Justice dans Tous les Espaces

Affirmer que la religion ne doit jamais être utilisée comme outil d’exclusion, de discrimination ou de violence ; encourager un engagement numérique responsable ; soutenir des pratiques religieuses inclusives ; et garantir l’inclusion linguistique et régionale, en particulier pour les communautés francophones.

9. Assurer l’Inclusion au Sein du Réseau

Inclure intentionnellement les personnes trans, en particulier les hommes trans, les personnes intersexes, les personnes LGBTQI+ en situation de handicap et d’autres groupes sous‑représentés dans le leadership, la programmation et la prise de décision.

10. S’engager pour la Justice Linguistique et le Mentorat

Accélérer les initiatives de justice linguistique et promouvoir le mentorat et le dialogue intergénérationnel comme outils essentiels de transmission des connaissances, de développement du leadership et de résilience communautaire.

Conclusion

À l’occasion du dixième anniversaire du Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa, nous réaffirmons notre engagement à construire des sociétés où la foi et la dignité humaine coexistent, où la diversité est respectée, et où chaque individu peut vivre sans peur, discrimination ni exclusion.

Adopté à Porto-Novo, République du Bénin, ce 23 août 2026.

Signatures

Signé par :

Davis Mac‑Iyalla Directeur Exécutif Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

  1. Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health (PORSH)
  2. Espoir Vie Ane-en-cill Bénin (EVAB)
  3. Association pour la Conscientisation de la Jeunesse et l’Entraide de Socialité de Porto-Novo (ACJESPN)
  4. Alliance pour la Solidarité et l’Aide à la Jeunesse du Bénin (ASAJ-Bénin)
  5. Groupe d’Actions pour l’Inclusion Communautaire (GAIC)
  6. AGIR International
  7. Key Watch Ghana / Intersex Movement of Ghana
  8. Center for Youth Empowerment Health Advocacy Initiative, Nigeria
  9. Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC)
  10. Global Interfaith Network (GIN-SOGIE)
  11. Orange Initiative for Improved Mental Health & Rights, Nigeria
  12. The Fellowship of Affirming Global Ministries (TFAM)
  13. Flourish Rights and Resilience Network (FRRN)
  14. Pan Africa ILGA
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Ghana’s Anglican Archbishop Rejects Criminalisation of Gay People

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

First published on Mamba Online written by Luiz De Barros

Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith says that the Anglican Church views LGBTQ+ people as children of God. (Photo: Anglican Communion / Facebook)

In a significant statement, Ghana’s Anglican Archbishop of West Africa, Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, has asserted that the church does not support the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people.

Ben-Smith, who is the Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Asante Mampong in Ghana, clarified the church’s position in an interview with the BBC.

“Our point in our province is very clear: we do not support the criminalisation of gay persons,” said the Archbishop. While acknowledging that criminalisation was the law in Ghana, he reiterated that the church does not support it. He added, nevertheless, that “we [the Anglican Church] believe that God created male and female.”

As head of the Province of West Africa, Ben-Smith leads 19 Anglican dioceses in eight countries, including Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

When asked if gay Christians would be accepted in the church in Ghana, the Archbishop replied: “They are all children of God, and God loves them.”

While claiming that homosexuality is not accepted in traditional Ghanaian culture, he also stated that LGBTQ+ people are “not new here, they have lived in this country for a long time,” adding that “we’ve lived with them and they’ve never been a problem.”

Anglican Church in Ghana previously called for review

The Archbishop’s statement follows the Anglican Church of Ghana softening its position on criminalisation several years ago.

In 2022, the House of Bishops representing the Anglican Church in Ghana said that while it supported the country’s then-pending anti-LGBTQ+ bill, “the criminalisation of sections of the bill are severe and must be reviewed.”

The bishops did not reject the bill outright. They stressed that they did not approve of homosexuality, portraying it as being in conflict with the “traditions, values, cultural and social frameworks” of Ghana.

The stance ignores pre-colonial history that reflected more diverse sexual and gender roles, including some forms of same-sex marriage among the Nzema and the Nankani people.

Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill still awaits President’s signature

Under colonial-era provisions, Ghana’s Criminal Code already criminalises consensual same-sex sexual relations with up to three years in prison.

In May, after years of efforts by anti-rights politicians and a previous version that expired, Ghana’s Parliament passed an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill, titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

President John Mahama has yet to sign the bill, but if he does, it will criminalise simply identifying as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, with those found guilty facing three years in prison. It will further outlaw same-sex intimacy and gender-affirming medical services, also with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines.

The dissemination or publication of materials that advocate for the equality or affirmation of LGBTQ+ people will carry prison sentences of up to five years. The bill would also disband organisations that support LGBTQ+ rights and ban adoption by LGBTQ+ individuals.

The legislation passed amid criticism that public hearings on the bill lacked transparency, fairness and meaningful democratic participation.

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International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia & Transphobia Theme: “No One Left Behind: Faith, Freedom, and the Fullness of Our Humanity”

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Today, on IDAHOTBIT 2026, the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) joins millions across the world to affirm a simple truth: every human being carries inherent dignity, and no law, doctrine, or political agenda can erase the image of the Divine within us.

Across our region, LGBTIQ+ people continue to face violence, criminalization, forced displacement, and the weaponization of religion and culture. In recent years, we have witnessed a dangerous rise in state‑sponsored hostility, misinformation, and moral panic—conditions that threaten not only queer lives, but the moral fabric of our societies. When fear becomes policy, and prejudice becomes law, entire communities are pushed into silence, poverty, and despair.

IDNOWA refuses this future. We stand firmly in the belief that faith is not a weapon. Faith is a source of compassion, justice, and liberation. Our traditions—Christian, Muslim, traditional, and indigenous—teach us to protect the vulnerable, honour truth, and defend the sanctity of life. Any theology that justifies hatred is a distortion of sacred wisdom.

This year, we lift up three commitments:

1. We commit to protecting life.

Every LGBTIQ+ person deserves safety in their home, their school, their mosque, their church, their workplace, and their nation. We call on governments to repeal harmful laws, end arbitrary arrests, and uphold constitutional protections for all citizens.

2. We commit to truth-telling.

We challenge the false narratives that portray queer people as threats to culture or faith. Our communities have always existed in West Africa. We are family members, leaders, workers, believers, and nation-builders. Our existence is not a debate.

3. We commit to solidarity and healing.

In this moment of fear and repression, we choose community over isolation. We choose courage over silence. We choose healing over harm. We honour activists, survivors, allies, and faith leaders who continue to defend human rights at great personal risk.

As we mark IDAHOTBIT 2026, we call on religious leaders, policymakers, and citizens across West Africa to rise above fear and embrace a vision of justice rooted in compassion. The measure of any society is how it treats those most marginalized. Our region cannot claim moral authority while denying people the right to live, love, and thrive.

To every LGBTIQ+ person across West Africa: you are not alone. Your life is sacred. Your identity is valid. Your story matters. We see you. We honour you. We will continue to fight beside you.

IDNOWA remains steadfast in building a West Africa where diversity is celebrated, human rights are protected, and no one is left behind.

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Opinion: LGBTQ+ Erasure Is a Form of Violence — Faith Leaders in Africa Must Not Be Silent

julianathomeblog

Published on MAMBA Online.com

Queer spiritual leader Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla says faith leaders must confront LGBTQ+ erasure in Africa.

Across West Africa, a dangerous pattern continues to repeat itself: communities that do not fit dominant cultural or religious expectations are pushed into silence. Their stories are ignored, their contributions dismissed, and their humanity questioned. This is not a passive oversight. It is a deliberate act of erasure — and it is one of the most powerful tools used to justify discrimination and harmful legislation.

At the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), we see the consequences of erasure every day. We work with people whose lives have been shaped by silence imposed on them by family, community, and state. We work with faith leaders who are pressured to deny the existence of sexual and gender minorities within their own congregations. And we work with young people who have never heard a single message affirming that they, too, are created in the image of God.

Why Erasure Happens

Erasure is rooted in fear — fear of diversity, fear of truth, and fear of losing control. When a society pretends that LGBTQ+ people do not exist, it becomes easier to pass laws that harm them. When religious leaders deny the presence of LGBTQ+ members in their congregations, they avoid confronting their own biases. When governments erase entire communities from public discourse, they avoid accountability.

Erasure is not only political. It is spiritual. It tells people that God has no place for them. It weaponizes faith against the very people faith is meant to uplift.

The Impact of Erasure

The consequences are profound and far‑reaching:

  • Psychological harm: People internalize the lie that they are unworthy of love, dignity, or belonging.
  • Historical distortion: Future generations inherit a false narrative that denies the diversity that has always existed in African societies.
  • Social vulnerability: Invisible communities are easier to target with violence, discrimination, and punitive laws.
  • Broken faith communities: When religious spaces exclude, they fail in their moral duty to protect the vulnerable.

At IDNOWA, we believe that erasure is a form of violence — a slow, suffocating violence that destroys lives long before any law is passed.

How We Fight Back

Recognition is not a privilege. It is a right. And IDNOWA’s work is grounded in restoring that right through interfaith solidarity, education, and advocacy.

1. We amplify the stories that others try to silence

Through trainings, dialogues, and public advocacy, we create platforms where LGBTQ+ people of faith can speak for themselves — with dignity and authority.

2. We build interfaith alliances that challenge harmful narratives

Our network brings together Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders who understand that faith must never be used as a weapon. Together, we challenge the misuse of scripture and cultural rhetoric that fuels discrimination.

3. We document our history and our present

IDNOWA produces research, reports, and community‑based documentation to ensure that our stories are preserved. If we do not write our own history, others will erase it.

4. We train leaders to respond to harmful legislation

Across the region, we equip activists, clergy, and community leaders with the tools to advocate safely and effectively in hostile environments.

5. We create spiritual spaces where everyone is welcome

Our interfaith rituals and pastoral care models affirm that every human being is sacred. No one should be forced to choose between their identity and their faith.

A Call to Action

Erasure thrives in silence. Recognition grows in solidarity.

Faith leaders, policymakers, and community members must choose which side of history they want to stand on. Will we allow fear to dictate who is worthy of dignity? Or will we embrace the truth that diversity is not a threat, but a gift?

At IDNOWA, our answer is clear: We will not allow any human being to be erased. Not in our communities. Not in our faith spaces. Not in our region.

We are here. We have always been here. And we will continue to stand, speak, and advocate until every person — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or faith — is recognized as fully human and fully deserving of love, justice, and belonging.

Davis Mac Iyalla is a queer spiritual leader and openly gay traditional chief in Ghana, with deep roots in faith-based advocacy and interfaith engagement. He is a humxn rights defender committed to advancing dignity, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQI+ communities across Africa. Davis serves as Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) and is the Africa Coordinator for Africa GNRC (Global Network of Rainbow Catholics). He writes and speaks in his own capacity.

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Heated Rivalry among LGBTQ People in West Africa

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla

Introduction

The LGBTQ struggle in West Africa is not only against oppressive laws and hostile societies but also against internal fractures that weaken our collective power. Rivalries within the movement—between organizations, leaders, and even communities—have become a pressing challenge. As someone who has lived, worked, and fought in this space, I believe it is time to confront these divisions head-on. Our liberation cannot be delayed by ego, competition, or mistrust.

The Roots of Division

– Funding Politics: International donors often unintentionally fuel rivalry by favoring certain organizations over others. This creates hierarchies where some groups thrive while grassroots activists are left scrambling for survival.  

– Leadership Ego: Too many leaders see themselves as the “face” of the movement, forgetting that no single person can embody the diversity of LGBTQ lives in West Africa.  

– Strategic Disagreements: Some advocate for bold visibility, others for cautious survival. Both strategies are valid, but when they clash without dialogue, they breed resentment.  

– Colonial Legacies: Language and cultural divides—Anglophone vs. Francophone, Christian vs. Muslim contexts—make regional solidarity harder to sustain.  

The Cost of Rivalry

Every time we fight among ourselves, governments and religious extremists gain ground. Rivalries:  

– Undermine credibility, allowing opponents to dismiss us as fragmented.  

– Drain energy that should be directed toward resisting criminalization and violence.  

– Alienate younger activists, who see infighting instead of inspiration.  

Example of Constructive Work: IDNOWA

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) demonstrates how unity and collaboration can counteract rivalry.  

– IDNOWA has consistently advocated against rising anti-LGBTIQ legislation, emphasizing that human rights are universal and must protect all individuals.  

– In Ghana, IDNOWA engaged with the Centre for Religion and Public Life to explore inclusive pastoral care for marginalized people, especially LGBTQ communities. They presented documented evidence of human rights violations to parliamentarians, strengthening the case against the anti-gay bill.  

– By building bridges across faith traditions and national borders, IDNOWA shows that solidarity is possible even in hostile environments. Their work is a reminder that collaboration, not competition, is the path to progress.  

Toward a Movement of Solidarity

We must remember: our enemy is not each other. Our enemy is the system that criminalizes love, denies healthcare, and silences our voices. To move forward:  

– Build Accountability: Leaders must be held accountable to the communities they claim to represent. Transparency in funding and decision-making is non-negotiable.  

– Center the Marginalized: Trans people, lesbians, bisexuals, and grassroots activists must not be sidelined. Their voices are essential to a truly inclusive movement.  

– Regional Networks: We need stronger cross-border alliances to resist divide-and-conquer tactics. West Africa’s LGBTQ struggle is interconnected; Nigeria’s fight is Ghana’s fight, Sierra Leone’s fight, and beyond.  

– Collective Vision: Let us unite around shared goals: decriminalization, healthcare access, protection from violence, and dignity for all.  

Conclusion

The heated rivalries among LGBTQ people in West Africa are real, but they are not insurmountable. They are symptoms of growth, of a movement finding its voice under immense pressure. But if we allow them to fester, they will become obstacles to liberation. Our future depends on solidarity, humility, and courage—not just against external oppression, but against the divisions within.  

Liberation will not come from donors, governments, or charismatic leaders alone. It will come when we, as LGBTQ people in West Africa, choose unity over rivalry, and collective struggle over personal gain.

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PUBLIC STATEMENT

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

On the Scheduling of the Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bill in the Parliament of Ghana

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) notes with deep concern the decision of the Parliament of Ghana to schedule the Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bill for debate and consideration. As an interfaith body committed to human dignity, justice, and peaceful coexistence, we affirm that no law should strip any human being of their safety, freedom of conscience, or right to exist without fear.

Across our region, people of diverse faiths—Christian, Muslim, traditional, and others—share a common moral principle: every human being is created with inherent worth. Criminalizing individuals on the basis of identity or perceived identity violates this shared moral foundation and threatens the social harmony that our faith traditions seek to uphold.

We respectfully urge Ghana’s lawmakers to consider the far‑reaching implications of this bill, including its impact on:

  • Human dignity and fundamental freedoms  
  • Religious liberty, especially for faith communities who reject violence and criminalization  
  • Public health and community safety  
  • Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a leader in democracy and human rights in West Africa

IDNOWA stands firmly against any form of violence, discrimination, or state‑sanctioned harm. We call for dialogue instead of punishment, understanding instead of fear, and compassion instead of criminalization.

We remain committed to working with religious leaders, civil society, and policymakers to promote peace, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the values that strengthen our communities. Our doors remain open for constructive engagement rooted in respect and shared humanity.

Human dignity is not a debate. It is a sacred obligation.

Signed,

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

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IDNOWA Position Paper

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Countering Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation in West Africa Through Human Rights and Interfaith Solidarity

   Introduction

IDNOWA affirms that human rights are universal, indivisible, and inherent to all people. Across West Africa, a surge of anti‑LGBTIQ legislation threatens the dignity, safety, and freedoms of millions. These laws undermine constitutional protections, weaken democratic institutions, and contradict regional and international commitments to equality.

As an interfaith organisation rooted in the shared moral values of Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions, IDNOWA rejects all forms of legislation that criminalise or stigmatise individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our work is grounded in the belief that compassion, justice, and human dignity are sacred principles across all faiths.

   Context: Rising Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation in West Africa

Several West African countries have recently introduced or strengthened laws that:

  • Criminalise consensual same‑sex relationships
  • Restrict freedom of association, expression, and assembly
  • Ban or censor LGBTIQ‑related organisations and advocacy
  • Impose harsh penalties, including imprisonment
  • Encourage public reporting, harassment, and violence

These laws are often justified using religious or cultural rhetoric, despite the fact that many originate from colonial‑era penal codes rather than indigenous African traditions.

   Impact of Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation

Human Rights Violations

  • Arbitrary arrests and detentions
  • Increased violence, blackmail, and extortion
  • Suppression of civil society and human rights defenders

Public Health Risks

  • Reduced access to HIV prevention and treatment
  • Fear of seeking healthcare due to criminalisation
  • Disruption of community‑based health programmes

Economic and Developmental Costs

  • Loss of workforce productivity
  • Barriers to inclusive development
  • Reduced international cooperation and investment

Social Fragmentation

  • Heightened stigma and discrimination
  • Breakdown of community trust
  • Increased vulnerability of marginalised groups

   IDNOWA’s Position: A Human Rights and Interfaith Mandate

IDNOWA’s stance is grounded in human rights principles and the shared moral teachings of West Africa’s diverse faith traditions. Across Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions, core values such as compassion, justice, and the sanctity of human dignity are universal.

Our interfaith position affirms that:

  • Human dignity is sacred — no law should strip individuals of their inherent worth.
  • Compassion is a shared religious value — punitive laws that harm vulnerable people contradict the ethical teachings of major faith traditions.
  • Justice requires inclusion — discrimination violates the moral responsibility to protect all members of society.
  • Faith must not be weaponised — religious teachings should not be misused to justify state‑sanctioned harm.

Supporting Voices from African Faith Leaders

IDNOWA aligns with respected African religious leaders — Christian, Muslim, and Traditionalist — who have spoken publicly in defence of human dignity:

  • Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla, Anglican human‑rights advocate (Ghana/Nigeria): “God’s love is for everyone. No one should be criminalised because of who they are or whom they love.”
  • Rev. Patricia Akpan, Christian minister and gender‑justice advocate (Nigeria): “Faith should never be used as a weapon. Our calling is to protect life, not to condemn people for who they are.”
  • Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Anglican priest and educator (South Africa): “Our faith calls us to stand with the oppressed, not to create new categories of people to fear or reject.”
  • Mama Grace Onibon, Yoruba Traditionalist elder and peace advocate (Nigeria): “In our traditions, every person is a child of the community. We do not cast people out — we restore them to wholeness.”
  • Archbishop Desmond Tutu (South Africa): “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. I cannot worship a God who is homophobic.”
  • Imam Muhsin Hendricks (South Africa): “Islam is a religion of compassion. Criminalisation and violence have no place in our faith.”

These voices demonstrate that African religious leadership is diverse and that many leaders — including women and Traditionalists — affirm dignity, coexistence, and non‑violence.

   Strategic Priorities for Countering Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation

A. Advocacy and Policy Engagement

  • Engage policymakers, parliamentarians, and regional bodies.
  • Provide evidence‑based briefs on the harms of criminalisation.
  • Support legal reform aligned with constitutional and human rights obligations.

B. Strengthening Civil Society

  • Build coalitions across human rights, feminist, youth, and disability movements.
  • Support grassroots organisations with training and security resources.
  • Promote safe platforms for community voices.

C. Public Education and Narrative Change

  • Counter misinformation with culturally grounded messaging.
  • Promote narratives rooted in shared values of dignity and coexistence.
  • Engage religious and traditional leaders in dialogue.

D. Protection and Support for Affected Communities

  • Expand access to psychosocial support, legal aid, and emergency assistance.
  • Strengthen community‑led safety networks.
  • Ensure non‑discriminatory healthcare access.

E. Regional and International Solidarity

  • Collaborate with ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and UN agencies.
  • Advocate for diplomatic pressure and human rights monitoring.
  • Mobilise international partners to support rights‑based development.

   Interfaith Engagement as a Pathway to Social Harmony

As an interfaith organisation, IDNOWA recognises that religious leaders hold significant influence in shaping public opinion and policy. Engaging them is essential to countering harmful legislation.

A. Reclaiming Faith from Extremism

IDNOWA works with faith leaders to:

  • Promote contextual, compassionate interpretations of scripture
  • Challenge the misuse of religion for political gain
  • Highlight teachings that emphasise love, mercy, and justice

B. Building Bridges Across Faith Communities

We foster collaboration among Christian, Muslim, and Traditionalist leaders to:

  • Issue joint statements affirming human dignity
  • Create safe spaces for dialogue
  • Reduce tensions and prevent religiously motivated violence

C. Supporting Inclusive Faith Leaders

IDNOWA:

  • Provides training on human rights and inclusive theology
  • Offers solidarity networks for leaders facing backlash
  • Amplifies voices that promote peace and coexistence

D. Grounding Advocacy in Shared Values

Our messaging draws on values that resonate across faiths:

  • The sanctity of life
  • Community care
  • Protection of the vulnerable
  • Rejection of violence and injustice

E. Faith‑Based Approaches to Public Health

We collaborate with religious institutions to:

  • Support non‑discriminatory HIV services
  • Reduce stigma in faith‑based health settings
  • Promote messages of care rather than punishment

  Recommendations to Governments

IDNOWA calls on West African governments to:

  • Halt or repeal anti‑LGBTIQ legislation
  • Uphold constitutional protections for all citizens
  • Ensure freedom of expression, association, and assembly
  • Protect human rights defenders and civil society
  • Adopt evidence‑based public health policies

  Conclusion

Anti‑LGBTIQ legislation threatens human rights, public health, and the moral fabric of West African societies. As an interfaith organisation, IDNOWA stands firmly for compassion, justice, and the protection of all people. We call on governments, religious leaders, civil society, and international partners to uphold the shared values that unite us — dignity, peace, and the belief that every human being deserves to live free from fear and discrimination.

Blog, Press

Becoming Whole: Why Spiritual and Sexual Identity Development Must Be Fought for Together

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Across West Africa and throughout the diaspora, I have witnessed a truth that too many institutions still refuse to name: our spiritual lives and our sexual identities do not grow on separate branches. They are intertwined roots of the same human tree. When one is starved, the whole person suffers. When one is nourished, the whole person rises.

For LGBTQ+ people—especially those raised in deeply religious environments—this truth is not theoretical. It is lived in our bodies, our prayers, our silences, and our rebellions. It is lived in the long nights when we try to negotiate with a God we were taught to fear, and in the bright mornings when we finally meet a God who loves us without condition.

The Violence of Forced Fragmentation

Too many of us were taught that to be spiritual, we must amputate our sexuality. That to be faithful, we must lie about who we love. That to be accepted, we must shrink ourselves into theological closets built by other people’s fears.

This fragmentation is not accidental. It is a tool of control.

When a society demands that LGBTQ+ people choose between their faith and their identity, it is not protecting morality. It is protecting power. It is preserving a hierarchy where some bodies are deemed holy and others are treated as theological mistakes.

But we are not mistakes. We are not contradictions. We are not spiritual exiles.

We are whole.

The Courage of Integration

The journey toward integrating spiritual and sexual identity is not easy. It requires unlearning shame that was never ours. It requires confronting religious leaders who weaponize scripture. It requires rebuilding a spiritual home from the ground up—brick by brick, truth by truth.

But integration is also liberation.

It is the moment a lesbian woman in Ghana prays in her own language and realizes God never stopped listening. It is the moment a bisexual man in Nigeria stops apologizing for existing. It is the moment a queer youth in the diaspora discovers that their ancestors walked with spirits long before colonial doctrines arrived.

Integration is not about choosing between God and self. It is about refusing to believe they were ever in conflict.

Why Activism Must Embrace Both

Activism that focuses only on sexual rights but ignores spiritual trauma is incomplete. Activism that celebrates pride but avoids the wounds inflicted by churches, mosques, and temples leaves our people half‑healed.

We must build movements that understand:

  • Sexual identity development is a journey of truth-telling.
  • Spiritual development is a journey of meaning-making.
  • Both are essential to human dignity.

When we create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can explore both without fear, we are not just supporting individuals—we are dismantling systems that depend on our silence.

A Call to Faith Leaders

To my fellow faith leaders across Africa and the diaspora: neutrality is no longer an option. Silence is not compassion. Ambiguity is not pastoral care.

If your theology cannot hold the fullness of LGBTQ+ lives, then it is your theology—not our existence—that needs transformation.

A Call to Our Communities

To my LGBTQ+ siblings: your journey is sacred. Your questions are holy. Your desire to belong—to God, to community, to yourself—is not a weakness but a sign of your spiritual strength.

You do not need to choose between your faith and your identity. You deserve both. You were born for both.

Becoming Whole Is an Act of Resistance

In a world that profits from our fragmentation, wholeness is revolutionary. Every time we claim our sexuality and our spirituality in the same breath, we disrupt centuries of oppression. Every time we refuse to hide, we expand the possibilities for those who will come after us.

This is the work. This is the calling. This is the liberation we are building—one integrated life at a time.

Blog, Press

Appeal for Responsible Leadership in Ghana’s Parliament

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

IDNOWA has formally written to the Minority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, appealing for responsible leadership and urging Parliament not to use the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill as a tool for retaliation or political pressure.

Our message is simple and grounded in Ghana’s constitutional values: every citizen deserves protection, dignity, and fairness—regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

Dear Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, Minority Leader, Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,

I extend my respectful greetings to you and your distinguished office. I am writing in my capacity as Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), an organisation committed to promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the protection of all citizens irrespective of their background, beliefs, or identity.

I wish to respectfully appeal to your good office regarding the ongoing calls for the passage of the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill. My concern is not rooted in politics, but in the shared responsibility we all bear to safeguard Ghana’s democratic values, human dignity, and long‑standing traditions of tolerance.

IDNOWA is not advocating for special privileges or political advantage for any group. Our position is simple: every Ghanaian deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. This principle aligns with Ghana’s constitutional commitments and with the moral foundations of our diverse cultural and faith traditions.

Historically, our ancestors lived in communities where differences were managed with wisdom rather than punishment. They did not build prisons for people based on their private lives or identities. Instead, they upheld a social fabric that valued harmony, coexistence, and respect for diversity. These values have shaped Ghana into a nation admired for its stability and humanity.

At a time when the country faces significant economic and social challenges, prioritising legislation that targets vulnerable citizens risks diverting national attention from urgent development needs. It also risks deepening divisions at a moment when unity is essential. Ghana’s reputation as a democratic, rights‑respecting nation has been earned through decades of careful leadership—leadership that you now embody in your role as Minority Leader.

I therefore appeal to your conscience, your sense of justice, and your commitment to Ghana’s democratic heritage. Your influence can help ensure that Parliament does not become a tool for retaliation or exclusion, but remains a place where every citizen feels represented and protected. This moment calls for leadership that rises above political tensions and affirms the dignity of all Ghanaians.

I trust in your wisdom and your ability to guide Parliament toward decisions that strengthen our national cohesion and uphold the values that define us as a people.

Thank you for your service to Ghana and for considering this respectful appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)