Uchenna Johnson
Awka
Accra, the capital of Ghana recently, hosted military chaplains and religious affairs specialists from 10 West African countries, who were attending the inaugural West Africa Religious Affairs Symposium (WARAS), co-hosted by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The three-day symposium, which was also attended by representatives of the U.S. State Partnership Program, was targeted to strengthen regional cooperation, promote ethical leadership, and enhance the spiritual resilience of military personnel across the region.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing organised by the U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Media Hub, the AFRICOM Command Chaplain, Chaplain Colonel Kevin Forrester, described the symposium as a strategic initiative designed to foster peace, stability and stronger institutional partnerships through faith-based engagement.
The inaugural WARAS runs from July 14 to 16 in Accra.
According to Forrester, religion remains a significant influence on culture and society across Africa, making military chaplaincy a vital component of building resilient and ethical armed forces.
“The 10 West African nations gathered here are united in their commitment to protecting the spiritual well-being of their service members while respecting diverse faith traditions. This symposium broadens cooperation and strengthens our shared commitment to using religion as a unifying force for peace and stability,” he said.
He stressed that the symposium was not intended to impose an American model of military chaplaincy but rather to promote mutual learning and collaboration among participating countries.
Forrester noted that chaplains occupy a unique position within military institutions by providing moral guidance, strengthening ethical leadership and fostering trust among service members.
He explained that while military equipment and tactical training remain important, they cannot substitute for the moral and ethical foundation required for personnel to withstand the pressures of modern security operations.
The AFRICOM chaplain also highlighted the importance of religious pluralism within military formations, saying Protestant ministers, Catholic priests and Muslim imams participating in the symposium demonstrate that cooperation across faiths enhances operational effectiveness.
“When a Catholic priest supports a Muslim soldier until an imam is available, it reinforces respect for diversity and assures every service member that their spiritual needs matter,” he said.
Also speaking, AFRICOM Religious Affairs Senior Enlisted Leader, Sergeant Major Herinah Asaah, said the symposium was equally focused on practical support for troops serving in increasingly complex operational environments.
“In West Africa, religion is not just a weekend activity. It is deeply woven into everyday life, culture and identity. We cannot build resilient military forces without understanding that reality,” she said.
She explained that modern military chaplaincy is evolving from a traditional office-based role to a more active presence in both physical and digital spaces, with several countries already using technology and secure communication platforms to support deployed personnel.
According to her, the symposium provided an opportunity for participating countries to exchange best practices on addressing contemporary challenges, including social media misinformation, prolonged deployments and the mental health needs of younger service members.
She said one of the major lessons emerging from the discussions was the importance of “meeting service members where they are,” noting that effective chaplaincy depends on maintaining both face-to-face engagement and digital accessibility.
Asaah also disclosed that participating nations were sharing innovative approaches to supporting personnel deployed in remote locations, including mobile applications that facilitate confidential communication between soldiers and military chaplains.
Responding to questions from journalists, the speakers acknowledged that Africa’s vast geography and limited infrastructure often make it difficult to provide timely religious and emotional support to troops.
Forrester said many African military chaplaincies were demonstrating innovative approaches to overcoming these challenges, adding that the U.S. military was also learning from its African partners.
He said AFRICOM viewed investment in military chaplain partnerships as an investment in regional peace and stability, explaining that resilient and ethically grounded soldiers are better equipped to respond to contemporary security threats.
The symposium also focuses on strengthening cooperation among emerging military chaplaincies across West Africa, many of which are less than two decades old.
Forrester said the relationships being built among military religious leaders would extend beyond the conference, creating lasting networks of support and professional collaboration.
He added that military chaplains play a dual advisory role by guiding commanders on ethical leadership within their forces and advising on the religious dynamics that could influence military operations.
Asaah expressed optimism that participating countries would return home with practical lessons capable of improving military welfare, strengthening religious cooperation and promoting peace within their respective armed forces.
She said future editions of the symposium are expected to expand to other regions of Africa as efforts continue to build stronger partnerships among military chaplaincies across the continent.
