President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday joined the Muslims community to observe the Iftar (the breaking of fast) at the Presidency in Accra.
In attendance were Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairperson of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs) and members of the diplomatic community in Ghana.
President Mahama in his remarks noted that as they journeyed through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, it was also a time for them to reflect on their responsibilities, not only to themselves and their families, but to their communities and the nation. He said the principle of self-discipline, compassion, and unity that Ramadan instills in them were the very principles that must guide them as a nation as they embark on a new journey to reset Ghana.
This reset agenda, he said was not just about recovering the economy, it was also about restoring hope to the people, dignity, and opening opportunities for all Ghanaians, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or political backgrounds. President Mahama said Ghana had always been a beacon of religious harmony where Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions live side by side in peace and mutual respect, and that they thank Allah for this blessing.
“This is one of our greatest strengths, and as a government committed to inclusivity and development, we’ll continue to protect and promote religious tolerance as a pillar of our national unity,” he said. “The NDC has always been a firm partner of the Muslim community.” President Mahama said their commitment to ensuring fairness, justice, and development for all remains strong under the reset agenda. He said they were focused on rebuilding the economy, restoring social justice to the nation, and creating opportunities for all, including Muslim communities.
President Mahama highlighted on some of the critical steps they had taken already and the promises they were committed to fulfilling to ensure that the Muslim communities thrive under the reset agenda. The President said one of the major challenges facing Ghanaian Muslims was the rising cost of performing the Hajj pilgrimage. He noted that recognizing this burden, the Government took decisive action to reduce the Hajj fare from a high of GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000, allowing more Ghanaian Muslims, especially the elders and those who had stayed for years, to embark on this important religious journey.
He reiterated that this intervention aligns with the Government’s broader goal of ensuring fairness in national policies and making sure that all citizens, regardless of their financial status, could fulfill their spiritual obligations. He said for years, Ghanaian pilgrims preparing for Hajj faced poor accommodation and logistical difficulties before they embarked on their holy journey. Under the reset agenda, the Ghana Airport Company was constructing a transit terminal which would be used as a Hajj village during the Hajj period and as a comfortable transit center before departure.
“But let me point out that the transit centre will be available in periods after Hajj, outside Hajj, to other passengers in transit through Kotoka International Airport,” he said. Adding that this project reflects the Government’s commitment to dignity and efficiency in public service delivery, ensuring that Muslim travel for Hajj in a well-organized, dignified, and respectful manner. President Mahama said in recognition of the invaluable contribution of the Muslim community to Ghana’s development, they made history by introducing a second public holiday for the Eid al-Fitr celebration; saying “and indeed, that holiday kicks in for the first time this weekend when we break the fast”.
President Mahama said education was central to their resetting agenda as they believe that a nation could only develop when its people were empowered with knowledge and skills. “We have integrated Islamic schools into the mainstream education system to ensure that Muslim children receive quality education without compromising their religious identity,” he said. “We will construct community-based senior high schools in Muslim-dominated areas to increase access to secondary education.”
The President said the Government would provide scholarships to brilliant but needy Muslim students to study in higher education both locally and abroad, especially in areas of medicine and engineering. On his part, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, who expressed gratitude to Allah for the peace of the nation, also prayed for the President that Allah would grant him the grace to carry out his agenda, which inure to the benefit of Ghanaians.
Source: GNA
