The IPPFoRB Academy held in Accra in 2025 brought together a dynamic group of participants and speakers committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Speakers

• Nazila Ghanea – United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

• Illja Djadi – Senior Analyst for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Sub-Saharan Africa at Open Doors.

• Prof. Johnson Mbillah – Founding Director of the Interfaith Unit of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and ordained minister.

• Gifty Adika – Senior Governance Advisor at the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, expert in governance, parliamentary systems, and information management.

• Fernanda Elena San Martin Carrasco – Director of IPPFoRB, expert in law, public policy, and women’s rights; former Member of Parliament in Bolivia and former Chair of the Committee on Gender Rights in Bolivia’s Chamber of Deputies.

• Lola Navarro – Senior Communications Advisor at IPPFoRB, expert in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and awareness-raising initiatives.

Participants

15 Members of Parliament and 1 Youth Representative from Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya.

Outcome

The IPPFoRB Academy in Accra culminated in the signing of the Accra Declaration, a formal commitment by all participating Members of Parliament to promote and protect Freedom of Religion or Belief across their respective countries. This landmark document affirms their shared dedication to combating violations of this fundamental right and advancing legislative and societal efforts to uphold FoRB in the region.