President Mahama hosts Muslims for iftar at Jubilee House

Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has asked Muslims to let the Ramadan be a period for reflection on their responsibilities towards their communities and nation.

He said the nation was in need of the values of patience, compassion and sacrifice that Muslims have cultivated during the fasting period.

“The principles of self-discipline, compassion and unity that Ramadan instills in us are the very principles that must guide us as a nation as we embark on a new journey to reset Ghana,” he said.

He made the call when he hosted an iftar for Muslim leaders and some members of the diplomatic corps to break their day’s fast at Jubilee House, the seat of government, on Thursday.

Beyond restoring the economy, he noted that the Reset Ghana agenda seeks to restore hope to Ghanaians regardless of religious, political or ethnic grouping.

He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC)-led government was committed to ensuring fairness, justice and development for all.

So far, he said the government has been able to reduce Hajj fares, commence the construction of a Hajj village and give an additional holiday for the celebration of Eid.

He said the government was working to establish community senior high schools in predominantly Muslim areas in order to improve access to secondary education.

He also pledged to provide scholarships to brilliant but needy Muslim students to study medicine and engineering and renovate health care facilities in predominantly Zongo and Muslim communities.

Sheikh Hajj Umar Ibrahim, the Imam of the Ahlusunnah Wal Jamaa Muslim sect, called on Muslims to show gratitude to the president for his unwavering commitment to addressing the plight of Muslims.

Sheikh Kamaludeen Abubakar, Imam of the Shia sect in Ghana, urged the government to remain focused and have a dedicated fund for fighting galamsey.

He called for the permanent stationing of military personnel in forest reserves to protect the environment.

Maulvi Mohammed bin Salih, Ameer in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, called for government assistance towards poverty alleviation and quality education within the Muslim community.