Preparing the Ending of Ramadan, November 2004, with representatives of Christian Mothers and Association of Muslim Women. The Christian Mothers presented the Muslim Women with a ram. In the centre, Fr. Richard Archambault.

Muslim Christian Dialogue Ghana
'Small small'

In almost every Ghanaian language, you have the expression "small-small" which means what it says. Whether it is "ka kra, ka kra" in Twi, "fii fii" in Gurune or "biel biel" in Kusaal they all mean small-small. With regard to Muslim-Christian dialogue in this part of Ghana's Upper East Region, it can be described as "small-small" i.e. small steps taken throughout the year to promote better understanding among ourselves. Here are a few examples:

At this year's Muslim feast of Id al Fitr the Most Reverend Lucas Abadamloora, Bishop of our Diocese, invited me to read Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald's letter to the Muslim communities specially written for this occasion. As the Vice-President of Ghana had already spoken, I was not able to speak after him, but was asked by the Chief Imam to present the letter on the following Friday at the Noon prayers in the Central Mosque. I managed to translate it into Gurune, the local language, and my interpreter then translated it into Hausa. There were a few Allah Akbaar's from members of the assembly from time to time. It was a daunting and humbling experience.

The following week, the various faith groups in Bolgatanga held a Peace March as a preparation for the elections that were to take place on the 7th December. So there we were, Muslims, Christians, Traditional Believers and other kindred spirits with traditional drummers leading the way, marching through the principal streets of Bolgatanga with a mixture of greetings, 'Asalaam Aleikum', 'Peace be with you', 'Yen de naba (God is Chief)', among others. After the three-hour march, there were a few brief speeches given at the local park and representatives of the Christian, Muslim and Traditional Faith Groups raised the national flag.

Né en 1948, Peter Kodjo Appiah Cardinal Turkson, est depuis 1992 archevêque de Cape Coast, Ghana. On le voit ici à Rome, le 21 octobre 2003, jour où Jean-Paul II lui remit la barrette rouge.

Finally, the new Cardinal of Ghana, Peter Kojo Appiah Turkson, came to the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese for a weeklong visit. Included among his visits to the traditional chiefs, local and regional officials, and various parishes in the Bolgatanga Deanery was a courtesy call on the Chief Imam of Bolgatanga.

The Imam was clearly delighted to have the Cardinal visit him. The Cardinal too expressed his joy at being there and spoke about the Muslim friends with whom he had grown up in the gold-mining area. The Imam, Alhaji Yussouf Adam, then presented Cardinal Turkson with a trademark of Bolgatanga, two huge leather hassocks inscribed with his name. Therefore, when now and then His Eminence takes a rest "small-small", he will be able to recall his visit to the Imam and Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese. The Muslim community will also know that a prophet of peace appeared in their midst.

Richard Archambault,
Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese
Ghana