Accra, Ghana, August 21, 2018//-The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the government is committed to pursuing goals and policies that ensure the inclusion of all segments of Ghanaians, irrespective of their religious, economic and social statuses.
He made this known on Tuesday, 21 August, 2018, when he addressed thousands of Muslims at the Eid al-Adha celebrations, at the Independence Square, Accra.
To this end, President Akufo-Addo said: “It is in pursuit of this objective of social inclusion that I established the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development. Our goal is to create a society of equal opportunities for all, and we shall not relent until we achieve it”.
A key component of the creation of a society of inclusion, is by ensuring that every Ghanaian child gets the opportunity of a lifetime to develop his or her potential, according to him.
“I know that seeking knowledge is considered a sacred duty in Islam. Our commitment to ensure that no Ghanaian child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge should spur you, to actualise the admonishing of the Prophet Muhammad that knowledge is the lost property of a Muslim, and he or she should find it wherever he or she may,” he added.
Using the Hajj ritual as an analogy of how a society of inclusion should be built, President Akufo-Addo explained that during Hajj, all pilgrims wear the white apparel, of the same style and make.
“Therefore, when we look at a sea of pilgrims, we are unable to distinguish the rich from the poor, the high from the low, and the powerful from the weak. Everybody assumes equality before the Lord,” he said.
The President continued, “In the same way, we are determined to ensure that the laws of our country do not discriminate against people under any circumstance.”
He assured the Muslim community that he will implement recommendations made by the Committee established to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of seven citizens of the Asawase community.
“Let me use the occasion of the Eid to renew my commitment to that pledge. Whilst we await the outcome of the Committee’s work, I urge the young men and women of Asawase to continue to exercise restraint and remain law abiding,” he added.
With Ghana needing people imbued with the character of the Prophet Ibrahim, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Ghanaian people need to build a nation of sacrifice.
“The founding fathers of this nation sacrificed their all to gain for us our liberty. We have to sustain the gains that they made for this country through sacrifice. The story of Prophet Ibrahim must spur us to want to go the extra mile for our country,” he said.
The President continued, “I was born into a family, where sacrifice and service to others are considered a sacred duty. I to pledge to you that I shall continue to sacrifice my all to ensure that I leave a legacy of peace and progress for coming generations.”
He assured the Chief Imam that he will continue to admonish his appointees to cultivate the same spirit of sacrifice that spurred the country’s forebears to fight for Ghana’s liberation.
President Akufo-Addo used the occasion to introduce the new Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, Sheikh Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.
In a speech , the National Chief Imam, Sheik Osmanu Sharabutu , thanked the government extending astroturf sports facilities in a number of Muslim communities including Sukura, a suburb of Accra.
What is Eid al-Adha
Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) today, as a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah.
Eid al-Adha falls a day after the visit to the mount of Arafat, one of the activities of the Hajj – the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that all believers who can afford it are required to perform once.
It falls on the 10th day of the month of Zul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.
In many Muslim cultures, Eid ul Adha is referred to as the big Eid, while Eid ul Fitr is referred to as little Eid
Eid al-Adha is Islam’s holiest festival and is celebrated annually as an official holiday in many countries.
Eid al-Abha is one of the two most important Islamic festivals, and is known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, as it recalls Ibraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah when Allah appeared to him in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to God.
The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead.
African Eye Report