Greater Accra Kotokoli chief installed in Madina Zongo

Madina (G/A), Feb. 5, GNA - Alhaji Harun Salifu, Chief Executive Officer of the Haruna Enterprises of Madina & Nima, was on Sunday sworn in as the Greater-Accra Kotokoli Chief at an impressive ceremony at Madina-Zongo. The installation was officiated by Sheik Abdula, Chief Imam of Madina.

A piece of white calico was bound around Alhaji Harun Salifu's head to signify his installation.

Moslem prayers were also offered to seal the installation. He replaces Alhaji Adamu Hankiti, who died last month after a short illness.

An assistant regent Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim was also installed to assist Alhaji Harun Salifu in his work.

Alhaji Harun Salifu, 60, told GNA that he started his elementary education in Kpandai in the Northern Region and while in class three he lost his father, which ended his education.

He said he took to cropping maize, yam and sorghum for sale. In 1966 he moved to Accra and engaged in buying and selling of maize, yam and sorghum until in 1982 when he begun selling building materials. His stores are located in Madina and in Nima. He added that he had lived in Madina for the past thirty-five years and had two wives and nine children.

In an interview, Alhaji Harun Salifu said he was grateful to God for the occasion and that his reign would feature peace and consultation.

The Paramount Chief of Kotokolis in Ghana, Chief Wuro Dawuud Chedre Brenai II from Kue, near Krachi-Nkwanta and his retinue were in attendance to grace the occasion.

In an address the Paramount Chief urged the Kotokolis to refrain from fighting and respect other ethnic groups. He called on them to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme and reminded them to invest into the education of their children instead of gambling. The installation ceremony attracted ethnic chiefs like the Dagomba, Hausa, Grunshie, Yoruba, Gonja, Zabrama, Dandawa and other Kotokoli sub chiefs within the Greater-Accra, Volta, Eastern and Central regions. Also in attendance was the Public Relations Officer of the National Council of Moslem Chiefs Alhaji Moro Baba Issah. Solidarity messages were read on behalf of the various ethnic groups.

Alhaji Mohammed Sani, a former Area Manager of the Ghana Commercial Bank in the Eastern Region chaired the installation ceremony. He called on the Kotokoli to respect other citizens in the country and never to allow their tribe to be marginalized since they are Ghanaians.