Let peace prevail - President urges Ghanaian in Eid message
President John Dramani Mahama has urged all Ghanaians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, to continue promoting peace, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect.
"We must reject extremism, political intolerance, tribal divisions and all acts that threaten our national unity," he said.
Speaking at the Black Star Square in Accra yesterday, when he joined Muslims to celebrate this year's Eid-ul-Adha, President Mahama praised Ghanaians for standing out as a shining example of deep religious tolerance.
"Christians and Muslims have lived together harmoniously for generations, sharing communities, schools, businesses and even family times.
We must continue to preserve and strengthen this harmony,” he said.
President Mahama said the message of Eid was particularly important in today's world, where many societies faced division, intolerance and conflict.
The President also called on Ghanaians to embrace the values of sacrifice, peace, compassion and national unity.
Dressed in a flowing white kaftan with a cap to match, the President was accompanied by the Presidential Envoy in charge of Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah; the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim; the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, who joined the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, whose presence drew warm cheers from the large congregation.
The national holiday event brought together hundreds of Muslims from across the capital and beyond, creating a colourful display of religious attire, children's laughter, and the spirit of communal prayer.
In his address to the faithful, President Mahama said the festival was more than a day of celebration.
The President observed that the message of Eid was particularly important in today's world, where many societies faced division, intolerance and conflict.
"Today is not just a day of celebration; it is a day of reflection about our relationship with God and our responsibilities towards one another as human beings," he said.
The President recounted the story of Prophet Ibrahim's extraordinary obedience and faith, noting that the sacred festival commemorated "the extraordinary obedience and faith of the prophet Ibrahim, in other words Abraham, who was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son to fulfil Allah's command."
Recalling the moment of divine mercy, he said: "The moment Prophet Ibrahim demonstrated complete submission to Allah, in his mercy, He replaced the sacrifice with a ram.
This story remains one of the greatest examples of faith, sacrifice, patience and trust in God."
President Mahama explained that the lessons of Eid-ul-Adha went beyond the ritual of slaughtering of animals.
"The occasion calls on us to sacrifice, be selfless, don't hate one another, not to be greedy, not to divide among ourselves, not to be dishonest, and not to be indifferent to each other's suffering. It reminds us that true worship is grounded in sincerity, devotion, humility and compassion,” the President stated.
Quoting from the Holy Quran, the President said: "As Allah tells us in the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Hajj, it says their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Allah is piety from you.
So, it is not the meat that you slaughter or the blood that is spilt that will reach Allah.
What will reach Allah is your heart and how pious you are."
He further noted that Islam teaches sharing the meat from the sacrifice among family, friends, neighbours, and "most importantly, the poor and vulnerable in society.
“This spirit of sharing and caring is among the greatest strengths of the Islamic religion."
He also paid tribute to the National Chief Imam, describing him as a blessing to the nation.
"We are also blessed in Ghana to have the enduring example of our revered National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, whose life continues to inspire all Ghanaians through his humility, his compassion, his simplicity, his tolerance and his peace-building,” the President said.
Zango communities
The President announced that the construction and rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructure projects would soon begin in several Zango communities.
"We are determined to improve infrastructure, sanitation, education, health care and economic opportunities across all Zangos in Ghana,” he said.
President Mahama also stated that through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), the government had so far recruited 6,000 Arabic teachers to support Islamic education.
"I must add that the 6,000 Arabic teachers have been fully paid. The government doesn't owe them one cedi; we’ve paid them up to date."
President Mahama also unveiled plans to construct new community day STEM secondary schools in densely populated urban areas, including Zango communities.
"Many of the Zangos across the country will benefit from this initiative. We will put modern community day e-block STEM secondary schools in densely populated Zango communities or dense urban populations, so that the children would not have to travel far away to school."
He also thanked the Council of Zango Chiefs for generously providing land for those projects, adding, "By this initiative, we shall bring quality STEM education to the doorstep of our deprived communities."
On economic empowerment, the President disclosed that the Coordinator for the Zongo Fund and Inner City was working on operationalising the Soyeya Fund.
"Soon, we will come to the Chief Imam and to our Muslim Chiefs to outline the steps that have been taken to operationalise the fund.
This will give small credits to our mothers, sisters and others who sell waakye and other food. Any Zango person who has a small business can also take from the Soyeya Fund to assist their business,” he said.
Hajj operations
The President described this year’s Hajj operation as largely successful, with about 6,900 Ghanaian pilgrims undertaking the sacred pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
"I have received encouraging reports on their accommodation, feeding arrangements, transport and overall welfare," he said, commending the Ghana Hajj Board and all stakeholders.
However, President Mahama acknowledged the passing of two Ghanaian pilgrims during this year's Hajj.
"On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and we pray that Allah will forgive all their sins and grant them Janatul Firdaus," he said.
Call to build
President Mahama urged the Muslim community to reaffirm their commitment to the values of the festival.
"As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, let us reaffirm our commitment to the values of sacrifice, peace, compassion, humility, generosity, and national unity.
Let us continue to support one another, safeguard our country's peace, and work together to build a stronger and more prosperous Ghana,” he said.
The event ended with prayers led by the National Chief Imam, after which the President exchanged pleasantries with Muslim leaders and the congregation before departing the Black Star Square.
