Banjul, The Gambia – October 16, 2025: The three-day training workshop for religious and traditional leaders on human rights and engaging with the African Commission concluded on Thursday afternoon with calls for stronger collaboration, moral leadership, and sustained engagement with the African human rights system.
Organized by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), in partnership with the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations, the training brought together participants from different African countries at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul.
The initiative, held under the theme “From Tradition to Transformation: Empowering Religious and Traditional Leaders in Africa for the Consolidation of Democracy, Rule of Law, and Human Rights,” aimed to strengthen the capacity of community leaders to promote good governance, peace, and human rights within their societies.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Hon. Dr. Litha Musyimi-Ogana, representing the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), urged participants to sustain the network formed during the training and collaborate with existing platforms such as the African Indigenous Governance Council (AIGC).
“You are uniquely positioned to respond to the pressing challenges facing our continent. Your voices carry weight in the hearts of communities; your teachings shape values; and your actions influence generations,” Commissioner Litha said.
She commended the ACDHRS and partners for providing a platform that bridges Africa’s traditional leadership with regional human rights institutions.
In his remarks, Mr. Joseph Colley, Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia, highlighted the vital role of traditional and religious leaders in advancing democracy and civic engagement across Africa.
“Your influence in shaping community attitudes and promoting civic participation is invaluable. By leveraging your moral authority, you can serve as agents of transformation in building a more just and inclusive society,” he noted, before officially declaring the training closed.
Delivering a solidarity message, Mr. Yusupha Gomez commended ACDHRS for convening the training, describing it as timely and relevant for strengthening democracy and human rights through Africa’s cultural and religious institutions.
ACDHRS Governing Council Member, Mr. Naji Moulay Lahsen, praised the participants for their contributions and called for continued collaboration between traditional leaders, civil society, and regional mechanisms to promote peace and justice across the continent.
The Executive Director of ACDHRS, Mrs. Hannah Forster, congratulated the participants for their active engagement and announced plans to merge the newly formed network with that of last year’s cohort to ensure greater coordination and impact.
“Africa is one; we do not need parallel structures. What we need is collaboration and complementarity,” she emphasized, while thanking the Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations for their support.
Mr. Sadikh Niass, facilitator and adviser to the training, underscored the importance of the partnership between traditional leaders and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, noting that their engagement can help deconstruct harmful practices and promote human rights rooted in African values.
The training precedes the Forum of NGOs and the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both scheduled to open this weekend in Banjul.
