In a profound demonstration of dedication to Zongo communities, President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity, religious freedom, and socio-economic development.
Recognising the rich tapestry of Ghana's religious diversity, President Mahama has pledged to amend the Public Holidays Act of 2001 (Act 601) to introduce an additional holiday for Eid al-Fitr. This thoughtful gesture ensures that Ghanaians will have two holidays to celebrate the "Salah festivities" following Ramadan, allowing for deeper spiritual reflection and communal bonding. Muslims will no longer need to choose between their professional or educational commitments and the observance of their religious obligation. This initiative underscores the National Democratic Congress' commitment to honouring the Muslim faith and its traditions as an element of our national identity.
The President, JDM further reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of Muslim females to wear the hijab freely without fear or intimidation. This stance not only upholds the constitutional right to religious expression but also fosters an environment where female Muslims can pursue education and professional opportunities without becoming victims of discrimination by public officers.
President John Dramani Mahama indicated that where citizens are able to access Education without hindrance, it becomes possible for them to take advantage of the government’s commitment in constructing additional Islamic secondary schools, ensuring that quality education is within reach of all. Understanding the inequality existing as a result several decades of unfavourable policies, the President has pledged to provide scholarships for students from deprived communities to engender equity, particularly in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, and information and communications technology (ICT). These initiatives aim to cultivate a new generation of Zongo professionals, poised to contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development of our beloved nation, Ghana.
Empowered by the unrestricted access to religious practice, equitable access to education, JDM sees the next frontier to be economic empowerment where Zongo communities become stimulated to flourish in their economic activities for growth, President Mahama’s proposed establishment of the Soyaaya Fund offers tremendous spur for economic activities. This micro-credit scheme is designed to provide capital for entrepreneurs, supporting business startups and offering training in value addition. By backing individuals with the necessary resources and skills, this initiative seeks to transform economically deprived areas into thriving hubs of commerce and innovation.
With thriving Economic activities from the Zongo communities, it is progressive to Acknowledge the unique financial needs of the Muslim community hence initiated discussions with the Bank of Ghana to introduce Islamic banking instruments into the national financial system. This progressive move aims to enhance financial inclusion, allowing Muslims to engage with banking services that align with their religious principles, thereby fostering greater economic participation and prosperity.
After generating and banking enough wealth, Muslims embark on the fifth pillar of their faith, Hajj. Understanding the profound spiritual significance of the Hajj pilgrimage, President Mahama has announced the formation of a dedicated five-member task force. This team's mission is to explore avenues to reduce the financial burden of the pilgrimage, making it more accessible to Ghanaian Muslims. This compassionate initiative builds upon previous infrastructural developments, such as the construction of the Hajj Village and the Tamale International Airport, which have significantly eased travel for pilgrims.
President Mahama stated that these initiatives are anchored on leading a peaceful nation hence appealed to the Muslim Umah to continuously support him and his administration with prayers. He further added that he offers a servant leadership hence wanted the entire Muslim community so support him in promoting harmony all across the nation for he serves all citizens irrespective of party affiliation, geographical local or status in society so that together, we shall build the better Ghana that we deserve where every Ghanaian, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
Issaka Sannie,
Zongo Caucus Coordinator, UK & Ireland Chapter.