Muslim clerics urged to educate congregation

Cape Coast, August 2, GNA- The Minister of information, Mr Dan Botwe on Monday urged Muslim clerics to educate their congregation on government policies to ensure that they have better understanding of national developmental agenda.
He said the government, would also ensure that its officials use religious gatherings for similar exercise, to avoid situations "where the good intentions of the government are distorted by some people". Mr Botwe said these when he called on the Central Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan and some Muslim clerics in Cape Coast, as part of a three -day visit to the region.
He tasked officials of the Information Services Department to regularly meet with Chief Imams and other Muslim opinion leaders, to explain government policies to them to enable them to educate their followers on government's plan of action.
He reiterated the government's determination to improve the well being of the people and said the cancellation of the nation's debts by the G8 countries would enable the country to get more funds for national development.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr Botwe said it was introduced to ensure that all Ghanaians enjoy "a better and affordable health delivery care" and, therefore, urged them to register with the scheme.
Alhaji Hassan commended the minister for interacting with the Muslim opinion leaders, which had thrown "a lot of light" on government policies.
He said Muslims would continue to pray for peace and prosperity of the nation.
Alhaji Badamasi Hassan, a Muslim cleric in Cape Coast, reminded the minister that some Muslims in the township had been given estates houses at Adisadel a suburb of the city following the demolition of their houses at Ayiko-Ayiko, another suburb in the City, by the government in the 1970's.
He said the occupants did not know if the estates were compensation for the demolishing of theirs, as they have not been given any documents to that effect, and all attempts to correct the anomaly had proved futile.
Mr Botwe assured the occupants that he would pursue the matter to ascertain the facts and act accordingly. 2 August, 05