REGSEC rules out reopening of Ho Zongo Mosque after security assessment
The Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC), chaired by Regional Minister Hon. James Gunu, has announced that the ground is not yet fertile for the reopening of the Zongo mosque following a community assessment exercise.
Speaking to the media after a community engagement, REGSEC said its mandate is to ensure and sustain peace in the Zongo community. The Council explained that it engaged stakeholders and decided to meet the community directly to gauge the mood and determine whether conditions were suitable for reopening the mosque.
According to REGSEC, the exercise was a security and intelligence assessment, not an attempt to force the reopening of the mosque. The Council stated that the assessment was conducted diligently and showed that the situation remains tense.
The findings revealed that pain and unresolved concerns persist among some community members. REGSEC said it tested the atmosphere, including reactions to issues such as compensation for those injured, and concluded that wounds are yet to heal.
The Council noted the absence of the two personalities who signed the peace bond, Alhaji Anas and Alhaji Munir. It said Alhaji Munir was reportedly on his way from Accra, while Alhaji Anas was said to be unwell. The Regional Minister indicated he would visit Alhaji Anas personally. Community members told REGSEC they want justice for those injured during the disturbances. Leaders also appealed for the mosque to be reopened ahead of the rainy season, but REGSEC maintained that the situation was not yet calm.
REGSEC said it has achieved its objective of assessing the temperature in the Zongo. It added that further engagement and consultations with stakeholders will continue until conditions are safe for the mosque to reopen.
“For now, we will not reopen it. Our priority is to preserve peace in the community and the region,” the Council stated.
During the Community engagement, Volta Regional Minister James Gunu clarified that REGSEC does not have the mandate to determine who serves as the Regional Chief Imam. The Council said this position was made clear during its closed-door meeting with the two contending leaders.
REGSEC stressed that the recognition and appointment of a Regional Chief Imam fall under the authority of the Muslim community’s leadership in Ghana. It noted that the National Chief Imam remains the recognized head of the Muslim community and that his directives must be respected.
The Council explained that the National Chief Imam had already issued a declaration recognizing Alhaji Muniru as the Regional Chief Imam and Alhaji Anas as the Deputy Regional Chief Imam.
REGSEC advised that anyone dissatisfied with the National Chief Imam’s decision should engage him directly or seek redress in the courts, rather than take the law into their own hands emphasized that it is not its responsibility to appoint or remove religious leaders, but it will uphold decisions made by the recognized authority unless overturned by the courts.
Both Alhaji Muniru and Alhaji Anas have signed a bond committing to work together and ensure peace in the Zongo community. REGSEC said this agreement was reached at its meeting on Tuesday and had been reaffirmed in earlier engagements.