President Mahama announces development package for Zongos

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday announced that government under the urban renewal project, would provide some modern facilities in Zongo communities to improve their lives.

He said the projects which would be funded by government, in collaboration with the Brazilian government, would include; roads, water, realign houses and provide drains that would rid the communities off communicable diseases.

President Mahama announced this when Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam, led a delegation of Muslim chiefs and Muslim sects to the Flagstaff House.

The Muslim delegation was at the Presidency to present an interim report on the Afienya Muslim clashes, a couple of weeks ago, and to also present the new Council of Muslim chiefs to the President.

The leaders were drawn from all the Zongo communities throughout the country and Muslim clerics within the country.

President Mahama said the Zongo project would help to elevate the communities from insanitary conditions, and provide basic facilities for the communities to be at par with others in the urban areas of the country.

He said the project, which had already started in Kumasi would be replicated in Nima, Maamobi, Chorkor and Ga Mashie, areas in the Accra Metropolis, and gave the assurance that Zongos in other regions would benefit from the development projects.

The President said part of the United Arab Emirates 100-million dollar facility for government, would also be used in the construction of the Nima drains, and appealed to the residents to exercise restraint.

President Mahama called on Muslim communities in the country to support government's agenda to create more jobs, as high rate of youth unemployment among the youth could become a recipe for rebellions.

He added: "Islam is a peaceful religion, and that is why we doing everything possible to solve the Nigerian problem as our neighbours."

The President cautioned that although Ghana was not experiencing conflicts and some of the bad practices that her neighbours were going through, there was the need to take precautionary measures that would unite all people against any acrimony.

President Mahama cautioned that the re-alignment of the Zongos would involve some uncomfortable makeshift programmes, and advised them to bear with the authorities when they begin with the projects.

He commended the Muslims for their intercessory prayers for government and the people of Ghana, and gave the assurance that he would be inspired and strengthened by their prayers to put up their best.

Sheik Sharabutu in a speech read on his behalf, said the feuding sects of Al-Sunna and Tijanniya at the Afienya Central Mosque had signed a peace agreement, and would abide by it in the coming years.

He said although the Mosque had been locked up, they were making moves to re- open for them to have their normal prayers in the community.

(GNA)