By Mohammed Abdulai
Nandom, Upper West Region
The Nandom Municipality today, Saturday, October 25, 2025, witnessed the official commissioning of the Nandom Christian–Muslim Dialogue Committee, aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting interfaith collaboration between Christians and Muslims in the area.
It recognizes the good things, both spiritual and moral, found among people of different faiths.
The colourful ceremony, held at CHALICE in Nandom, was graced by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Anthony Ziniyel, who delivered the keynote address. The event marks the formal establishment of the Nandom branch under the Wa Diocesan Interreligious Dialogue Commission, which has been working since the 1990s to build bridges between Christians and Muslims across the Upper West Region.
In his address, the Coordinator of the Interreligious Dialogue Commission, Fr. Aloysius Nuolabong, highlighted that the promotion of interfaith dialogue dates back to the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the Church’s relations with non-Christian religions, known as Nostra Aetate. He explained that the document encourages dialogue with followers of other faiths as an expression of Christ’s love, rather than competition with evangelization.
“Nostra Aetate calls on Christians to foster dialogue and collaboration with followers of other religions to promote mutual understanding, social justice, and moral welfare,” Fr. Nuolabong stated. “It recognizes the good things, both spiritual and moral, found among people of different faiths.”
He noted that the Upper West Region, with a population of about 702,000, 44.4% of whom are Muslims and a large Christian community, requires sustained peace for development. “For sustainable peace to prevail, there must be continuous dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Traditional Believers,” he stressed.
The Wa Diocese has structured its dialogue ministry in three tiers:
The Interreligious Dialogue Commission (Organizing Body)
Christian–Muslim Relations and Dialogue Committees in the parishes
Christian–Muslim Dialogue Clubs in Senior High Schools
The Wa Interreligious Dialogue Commission, inaugurated in 1996 by Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Paul Bemile, continues to promote understanding through radio programs, workshops, and interfaith engagements.
For sustainable peace to prevail, there must be continuous dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Traditional Believers,
Its core mandate includes advising the Bishop on Christian–Muslim affairs, promoting interfaith education, addressing interreligious marriage concerns, and working with traditional authorities, religious leaders, NGOs, and community stakeholders to enhance peaceful coexistence.
The commissioning of the Nandom Committee follows similar initiatives in Wa and Hain. It comes after a series of workshops held in 2023 across five parishes, Nadowli, Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom, and Tumu, to sensitize Christians and Muslims on the need for dialogue and peacebuilding.
The newly inaugurated Nandom Christian–Muslim Dialogue Committee will organize seminars, radio discussions, and community engagement activities to deepen mutual respect and collaboration between the two faith communities.
The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including the Nandom Naa, priests, pastors, imams, security officers, media representatives, and members of both religious communities.
In his closing remarks, Fr. Nuolabong expressed gratitude to all who attended and reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with Muslim leaders to sustain peace and development in the municipality.
“This initiative is not just about tolerance; it is about genuine friendship and working together for the moral and social welfare of our people,” he said.
The commissioning of the Nandom Christian–Muslim Dialogue Committee marks another milestone in the Diocese’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and interfaith harmony in the Upper West Region.
This initiative is not just about tolerance; it is about genuine friendship and working together for the moral and social welfare of our peopl
