In a post-election thanksgiving speech at the National Mosque, President John Dramani reaffirmed his commitment to the promises made to the Muslim community during his election campaign.
Speaking to supporters, Mahama acknowledged the crucial role that the Muslim community played in the NDC’s victory, and highlighted the steps his administration would take to fulfill the promises laid out in the party’s manifesto.
“During the campaign, my father, the National Chief Imam, led the Muslim community in presenting a set of proposals to be included in our NDC manifesto,” Mahama said.
“As promised, 12 out of the 14 points presented to us were incorporated into our manifesto, and we are fully committed to keeping those promises.”
Key Promises to the Muslim Community
One of the most significant promises President Mahama made was the reduction of Hajj fees, which has been a concern for many Muslims who wish to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“We understand the financial challenges many face, and we are working tirelessly to reduce Hajj fees significantly,” he stated.
To ensure that the process runs smoothly, Mahama revealed the formation of a five-member Hajj Task Force, led by the longest-serving Member of Parliament, Collins Dowder. The task force will attend the upcoming Hajj conference in Mecca, where they will work to negotiate lower travel costs and make arrangements for as many Ghanaian Muslims as possible to undertake the pilgrimage.
“We are determined to make Hajj more affordable so that every Muslim who desires to perform this sacred journey can do so,” Mahama affirmed.
Additional holiday for Eid al-Fitr
Another key promise to the Muslim community was the introduction of an additional public holiday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
“As soon as Parliament settles, we will amend the Holidays Act to include one more holiday for Eid al-Fitr,” the president explained.
“This year, after the fasting period of Ramadan, we will have two public holidays to celebrate Salah festivities.”
Protecting religious rights and promoting education
President Mahama also emphasized his administration’s commitment to upholding the constitutional right of all Ghanaians to practice their religion freely.
This includes safeguarding the rights of Muslim women to wear their hijabs in all public spaces and institutions.
“We will protect the right of Muslim women to wear their hijabs wherever they go,” he said.
Furthermore, Mahama highlighted the administration’s plans to expand educational opportunities for Muslim students, particularly in underserved communities.
His government intends to provide more scholarships for students from Muslim communities to study fields such as medicine, law, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The goal is to increase the number of Muslim doctors, lawyers, and ICT professionals, contributing to the nation’s development.
To strengthen the educational system, the president also promised to recruit more Arabic teachers to address the growing demand in Islamic schools.
“We will ensure that there are enough qualified teachers to support our Islamic educational institutions,” he said.
Support for deprived communities and Islamic banking
In addition to educational initiatives, Mahama unveiled plans to establish the Soheya Fund, a microcredit scheme designed to support families in deprived Muslim communities.
“The Soheya Fund will provide much-needed financial assistance to our mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters in underserved areas,” he explained.
Finally, President Mahama revealed that his government would engage with the Bank of Ghana to introduce Islamic banking instruments into the national financial system.
“We will begin discussions with the Bank of Ghana on how to integrate Islamic banking into our financial system to serve the needs of the Muslim community,” he said.
With these promises, President Mahama outlined a vision for a more inclusive and equitable future for all Ghanaians, regardless of their religion or background.
“We are committed to ensuring that the Muslim community, and indeed all Ghanaians, have the opportunities they deserve to thrive in this country,” he concluded.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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