The Single Story Of 'Zongo'

Hon. Boniface Abubakar, Zongo Development Minister

"Zongo" is a place which is predominantly occupied by Muslims from the northern part of Ghana and other neighbouring countries of Ghana. History has it that, it is a place which was named by its first settlers who were mainly foreigners from the neighbouring countries of Ghana such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Togo. And these Zongo lands were given to the settlers by the various chiefs of the community in which they lived/settled.

In Hausa, it is termed as a place which is dominated by Muslims mainly.

For the purpose of this writing, I am going to right the wrong about the misconception surrounding the term 'Zongo' especially in Ghana.

Talk of uncleanliness, violence, illiteracy, armed robbery, lawlessness and other social vices, what you will commonly hear about Zongo. But the sad truth is that, all the above is just a negative single story of Zongo. The Ghanaian Zongo has over the years contributed to the social, economic, political and religious development of this nation.

Our Zongo ranging from Kumasi, Accra, Tamale, Koforidua and the likes have produced and still producing gallant men and women who have contributed immensely in the development of Ghana.

In the political arena or space, Zongo has produced true sons and daughters of this land such as Dr. Hilla Limann, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Hajia Laad( ranking member of gender committee of parliament), Hon Muntaka Mubarak, Hon Haruna Iddrissu, Hon Abubakar Boniface, just to mention a few.

In the peaceful religious arena in Ghana, this same Zongo has produced very respectable and influential Imams such as Dr. Sheikh Uthman Shaarubutu, Dr Aremeyaw and others, who are still contributing their quota in promoting peaceful coexistence in Ghana.

In academia, the "lawless Zongo" has produced great brains in the fields of medicine such as Dr. Alima Salaam, a paediatrician at the Ejisu government hospital, psychologist such as Hajia Nasiba, journalist such as our noble father, Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, Shamima Muslim, Issah Monnie of TV3, Irbad Ibrahim and the most recent news anchor on TV Africa, Memunatu Uthman, and enviable teachers Ibn Yasir, Mr Baba of T.I Amass.

Undoubtedly, this same Zongo has produced very exceptional students who have defied all odds and contributed significantly in the their various fields of endeavor. They have excelled so well that some have represented their schools in debate championships, national science and maths quizzes, written and scored enviable marks in SAT, GRE exams and gained full scholarships to top institutions in the world such as Harvard, MIT and Albany college of pharmacy.

In this recent times, it has nurtured great and enviable young achievers in all spheres of life.

'Zongo' as most of us presume is not just a place of nurturing armed robbers, illiterates and all manner of unaccepted societal behaviours, it is that pleasant place that has nurtured great minds who are striving so hard to help the world achieve the sustainable development goals and help make the world and Ghana a better place.

The cries of an ordinary 'Aboabo' girl