VEEP PROMISES A HUSTLE-FREE HAJJ
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM July 16, 2011
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has assured the Muslim community that the 2011 Hajj pilgrimage will see an improvement and better outcome over that of last year. He said government has since 2009 taken practical steps to improve upon the organisation of the Hajj. “The few mistakes and errors that were experienced will be avoided this year to enable you have a smooth Hajj”, the Vice President stressed.
The Veep gave this assurance in a keynote address at the 17th Annual Ramadan Conference attended by Muslims from all Islamic sects in Ghana. This year’s confab is being held in Bolgatanga for the second time in 11 years under the theme: “Religious and Ethnic Tolerance, Prerequisite for Peace and Development”. He said so far, arrangements for payments of air fares by prospective pilgrims is in progress and all signs point to a trouble free Hajj.
Mr. Mahama who was led to the conference by the Upper East regional minister Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo, disclosed that government is also putting in place a mechanism that will soon result in the establishment of an independent body to organise pilgrimages. The processes for the necessary legislative framework are currently underway and it is believed this will be operationalised by the 2012 Hajj. He said the envisaged Pilgrimages Bill will call for the cooperation of both Muslims and Christians as well as other people of different religious persuasions.
The Vice President challenged Muslims to work hard to erase the perception that Muslims and Northerners are violent people stressing that “we must not be errand boys and instruments in the hands of politicians and other purveyors of violence - we may be poor but we must continue to maintain our values of honesty and integrity”.
He observed that a better Ghana cannot be achieved unless there is religious tolerance and peaceful ethnic co-existence amongst Ghanaians. He noted that tolerance as a human virtue is crucial in building bridges to connect diverse human interest groups, aspirations and desires for the common good. He therefore advised Muslims against religious extremism and other acts that are unislamic. He said as Ghana’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, it is the obligation of all and sundry to look beyond their individual religious beliefs and accommodate people of other faiths.
The Vice President entreated Muslims and northern communities to send their children especially the girl child to school, encourage her to stay in school and complete school since this can empower her to become an effective citizen within the global village. According to Mr. John Mahama, education is able to draw people out of poverty in the shortest possible time whilst it enables others to take advantage of opportunities in the world of work and self improvement. Therefore, the girl child should not be married out prematurely or withdrawn from school to do menial jobs to support the family budget.
He said government acknowledges that Northern, Zongo and Muslim communities in Ghana constitute the most deprived segments of society. For this reason, the Atta Mills-led government on assumption of office has introduced social intervention programmes such as free school uniform and free exercise books to pupils, the increased capitation grant and school feeding program and soon on which are all aimed at improving school enrollment and retention.
Mr. John Mahama also hinted that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority [SADA] will be fully operational by the end of 2011 as the process of appointing the senior management of the Authority is being wrapped up. He disclosed that government has so far allocated 13 million Ghana Cedis this year for the start up work of SADA. Meanwhile, there will be a donor conference in September this year to allow the donor community to contribute to SADA. He said that SADA which will see a complete transformation of the Savannah area of this country is a 20 year programme.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, Sunday July 31, 2011 shall be the first sighting for the moon of the month of Ramadan 2011. Subsequently, Monday 1st August, 2011 shall be the first day of Ramadan. However if not sighted on the said day, then Monday 1st August shall complete the month of “sha’ban”.
The communiqué also held that, Muslims in Ghana shall do away with all kinds of differences and unite for a common goal for the betterment of the nation as a whole meanwhile, it spoke against homosexuality and lesbianism as filth and ungodly practice which should not be compromised in the Ghanaian society. It further resolved that all regions should be given representation on the Hajj Board to ensure equality of services.
The National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Shaributu said chapter 49 of the Holy Quran enjoins all mankind to be tolerant and live in harmony with others. He said it is not a crime to follow a political party but it is a crime for one to fight his fellow man in the name of politics.
ISD-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama has assured the Muslim community that the 2011 Hajj pilgrimage will see an improvement and better outcome over that of last year. He said government has since 2009 taken practical steps to improve upon the organisation of the Hajj. “The few mistakes and errors that were experienced will be avoided this year to enable you have a smooth Hajj”, the Vice President stressed.
The Veep gave this assurance in a keynote address at the 17th Annual Ramadan Conference attended by Muslims from all Islamic sects in Ghana. This year’s confab is being held in Bolgatanga for the second time in 11 years under the theme: “Religious and Ethnic Tolerance, Prerequisite for Peace and Development”. He said so far, arrangements for payments of air fares by prospective pilgrims is in progress and all signs point to a trouble free Hajj.
Mr. Mahama who was led to the conference by the Upper East regional minister Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo, disclosed that government is also putting in place a mechanism that will soon result in the establishment of an independent body to organise pilgrimages. The processes for the necessary legislative framework are currently underway and it is believed this will be operationalised by the 2012 Hajj. He said the envisaged Pilgrimages Bill will call for the cooperation of both Muslims and Christians as well as other people of different religious persuasions.
The Vice President challenged Muslims to work hard to erase the perception that Muslims and Northerners are violent people stressing that “we must not be errand boys and instruments in the hands of politicians and other purveyors of violence - we may be poor but we must continue to maintain our values of honesty and integrity”.
He observed that a better Ghana cannot be achieved unless there is religious tolerance and peaceful ethnic co-existence amongst Ghanaians. He noted that tolerance as a human virtue is crucial in building bridges to connect diverse human interest groups, aspirations and desires for the common good. He therefore advised Muslims against religious extremism and other acts that are unislamic. He said as Ghana’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, it is the obligation of all and sundry to look beyond their individual religious beliefs and accommodate people of other faiths.
The Vice President entreated Muslims and northern communities to send their children especially the girl child to school, encourage her to stay in school and complete school since this can empower her to become an effective citizen within the global village. According to Mr. John Mahama, education is able to draw people out of poverty in the shortest possible time whilst it enables others to take advantage of opportunities in the world of work and self improvement. Therefore, the girl child should not be married out prematurely or withdrawn from school to do menial jobs to support the family budget.
He said government acknowledges that Northern, Zongo and Muslim communities in Ghana constitute the most deprived segments of society. For this reason, the Atta Mills-led government on assumption of office has introduced social intervention programmes such as free school uniform and free exercise books to pupils, the increased capitation grant and school feeding program and soon on which are all aimed at improving school enrollment and retention.
Mr. John Mahama also hinted that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority [SADA] will be fully operational by the end of 2011 as the process of appointing the senior management of the Authority is being wrapped up. He disclosed that government has so far allocated 13 million Ghana Cedis this year for the start up work of SADA. Meanwhile, there will be a donor conference in September this year to allow the donor community to contribute to SADA. He said that SADA which will see a complete transformation of the Savannah area of this country is a 20 year programme.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, Sunday July 31, 2011 shall be the first sighting for the moon of the month of Ramadan 2011. Subsequently, Monday 1st August, 2011 shall be the first day of Ramadan. However if not sighted on the said day, then Monday 1st August shall complete the month of “sha’ban”.
The communiqué also held that, Muslims in Ghana shall do away with all kinds of differences and unite for a common goal for the betterment of the nation as a whole meanwhile, it spoke against homosexuality and lesbianism as filth and ungodly practice which should not be compromised in the Ghanaian society. It further resolved that all regions should be given representation on the Hajj Board to ensure equality of services.
The National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Shaributu said chapter 49 of the Holy Quran enjoins all mankind to be tolerant and live in harmony with others. He said it is not a crime to follow a political party but it is a crime for one to fight his fellow man in the name of politics.
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