Muslims Commend Prez

THE LEADERSHIP of the Muslim Community in Ghana, has commended the government of President John Evans Atta Mills for its resolve in ensuring that this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca was without any hitch.

They also commended the President for supporting the various Muslim groups in the country during the month of Ramadan and the feast of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Leading the Muslim leaders to the Osu-Castle on Wednesday, the National Chief Imam Dr. Sheikh Osman Sharabutu in a speech read on his behalf, commended government for efforts to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj this year and pledged their total commitment to the government.

The delegation were made up of clerics that included Maulvi Wahab Adams, Ameer and Missionary-in-charge of the Ahmaddiya Muslims in Ghana, regional chief imams and heads of Islam sects in their discussion with government officials.

He noted that the signs were all over the place, indicating that this year’s hajj would be a successful one, especially the way government and the Hajj Council members were going about their work.

On conflict in Bawku, Dagbon and other volatile areas, Dr. Sheikh Sharabutu expressed concern about the renewed conflict in Bawku and urged the feuding parties to use dialogue to resolve their differences and pledged the commitment of the Muslim leaders to assist in bringing peace to the area.



For his part, the vice-president of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Government announced new peace moves with the National Peace Council and the Council of Muslims Ummah to deal with security situation in Bawku, the Dagbon State and Agbogbloshie a suburb of Accra which have claimed some lives.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama reminded Muslims and people of Northern descent to recognize the need to unite to fight their common ‘enemy’, poverty and that fighting among one another would stall any developmental plans of the government.


Vice President Mahama said the three conflict flashpoints were of great concern to government and the inclusion of Muslim Ummahs, an umbrella body of Muslim clerics in the country, was to help thaw the situation and prevent further carnage.

He expressed government's determination to organise a successful Hajj this year, and announced the establishment of transit camps at the El-wak stadium while prospective pilgrims from the northern parts of the country would be airlifted from the Tamale airport to join their counterparts in Accra.

Vice President Mahama noted that government intended to airlift the pilgrims directly from Tamale but the nature of the runway could not make it possible.

He expressed appreciation to Muslims for their support for government and pledged of efforts to address the educational and economic problems facing zongo communities.




Story by: Wisdom Awuku (Office of the Vice President)