The Ghana Muslim Academy, has expressed its appreciation to the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) in Ghana, for nominating President of the Acadeny, Mr Alhassan Nurudeen, to participate in the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme.

The theme for the project is: “Religious Freedom and Inter-faith Dialogue in the U.S.A.”

A statement signed by Mr Nurudeen, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said: “The project will give all participants an opportunity to learn and share ideas with counterparts in the United States and from other countries across the world, and would also build the capacity and equip participants with new ideas.

It said the programme would provide an overview of religious freedom and tolerance amid diverse populations in the U.S.A., as well as the role of religious and faith-based organizations in various arenas, including community service, education and electoral politics.

The statement said participants, who were selected from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Zimbabwe would also learn about the role of faith in American’s secular society, and added that the project was designed for the clergy, educators and lay leaders of national or local religious groups of all faiths.

It said: “Participants of the programme were selected from organizations and those who contributed to their country and society and have the potential to make even greater contribution in future.

“Many past participants from Ghana and other countries now occupy the highest positions in their professions, including ambassadors, editors, ministers of state and Presidents and Prime Ministers.”**