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By George-Ramsey Benamba\u00a0<\/p>\n
Accra, Dec 28, GNA- Prince Bagnaba Mba, President of Forum for Equity, a Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisation has called on the government to consider constructing a National Shrine for Worshippers of African Traditional Religion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That, he said would ensure a religious balance and serve as a Tourist centre for both domestic and international visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cLuckily, we already have a National Mosque, which is a very beautiful edifice, the National Cathedral is under construction in Accra, and so the construction of a National Shrine will strike the balance and portray Ghana as a religiously-tolerant country.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the need for peaceful co-existence in the country, Mr Mba said the construction of the National Shrine could be one of the powerful ways of nurturing peace and religion in the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s the need for government to provide land for the establishment of that National Shrine\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said the Shrine should consist of altars from the sixteen geographical zones and regions of the country.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReligion is a weapon that has been used to enslave the African making him a second-class citizen even in his original homeland.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Mr Mba said the National Shrine would also create an opportunity for study and research on the significance of traditional religious practices and appreciation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur brothers and sisters in the diaspora would return to perform the rebirth and purification rites.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be used as a centre of oath swearing of public officials to ensure adherence of honesty and accountability\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said two main foreign religions had not measured up to expectations and the hypocrisy of nocturnal consultation of traditional religious practitioners would be a thing of the past.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are all chosen by God and a traditional worship would attract global tourists especially our black brothers and sisters in USA, Europe and the Caribbean\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
GNA\u00a0<\/p>\n