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17.09.2004 General News

Changing Ghana to Gold Coast is not a panacea-Ameer

17.09.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Sept. 17, GNA - Maulvi Wahab Adam, Ameer and Missionary -in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission on Friday said the call by a section of the public that the name of Ghana be changed to Gold Coast was not a panacea to the problems of the country.

He said a change in attitude and sense of hard work would rather bring about the prosperity and progress that Ghanaians desired. Maulvi Adam was speaking at the 22nd National Annual Ijtema of the Ahamadiyya Muslim Elders Association at Ashongman, near Accra. The Ijtema, which is marked annually by the Ahamadiyya Muslims and on the theme: "The role of religion in nation building," brought together elders of the religion to reflect on issues that positively impact on the members, individuals and the society at large.

He said the name Ghana, that was derived from Arabic, 'Ghinaa,' meant riches, independent and self-subsisting and that did not contradict the attributes of gold that rightfully belonged to Ghana. He said National development was too important to be trivialised by making it contingent upon the change without reference to the attitude and behaviour of the citizenry.

Maulvi Adam said the country was well endowed by the Almighty in every respect and that it was necessary for the people to avoid exhibiting negative character traits such as corruption, immorality and indiscipline.

' Ghanaians must learn to adopt positive attitude and work culture, patriotism, fellow-feeling and supplication to the Almighty, who is the all hearing God for his grace and favours".

He advised Muslim leaders to set worthy example for the youth to emulate so that they become responsible citizens.

Mr. Alfred Salia Fawundu, United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Country Representative called for peaceful co-existence among all Ghanaians, regardless of their religious affiliations.

He noted that peace was essential element for national development and that all should work toward sustaining the peace the country was enjoying.

Mr. Fawundu advised Ghanaians to eschew acts that would, under the current democratic path the country had chosen, but work to foster it.

Earlier, Ameer Maulvi Adam, who led the Friday prayers asked peace, unity and prosperity for the country, particularly in the forthcoming December elections. SEPT. 17 04

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