The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) is currently holding the first West African Ecumenical Peace Forum with members of different churches from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, etc.
The essence of this peace forum, according to the General Secretary of CCSL, Mr. Alimamy P. Koroma is to share ideas with one another, especially regarding the role the church must played during and after difficult times like in Sierra Leone's recent history.
In his statement to the press about why they choose Sierra Leone, the Secretary General of the Council of Christian Churches in the West African region, Mr.
Baffour D. Amoa said we must all try to learn from history, noting that developing countries know what role churches play in bringing lasting peace.
Mr. Amoa recalled also that the sub-region enjoyed total peace during the 1960s and 1970s though we are now engulfed in civil conflicts, with whole nations traumatized.
He said as peace is vital for the development of any nation, the role played by CCSL has been recognized by international organizations, and that people have to make sacrifices to live in peace, without which there would be no future.
In his statement, the general secretary of the Liberian Council of Churches, Mr. Benjamin Dorme Lartey disclosed that many church leaders have been to jail because of their failure to support political leaders.
He said during the reign of president Charles Taylor, council leaders met the president on certain occasions to discuss pertinent issues, adding that they even suggested to the international community that "election was not the panacea to lasting peace" but they failed to listen.
Today, he said, the international community realizes that church councils must be made to contribute to the peace process.