Arabic education to be intensified - Vice President

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has emphasised government’s resolve to intensify Arabic education in Muslim communities in the country.

Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on Saturday, June 10, as part of his Ramadam Tour, visited the Northern Region and assured the people of government's commitment to support the study of Arabic in the area, Class FM’s Northern regional correspondent Mohammed Gaddafi reported.

Dr Bawumia used the opportunity to thank the people of Tamale for the massive support they offered to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during last year's elections.

Dr Bawumia started his visit from the Hajia Mariama Alolo Mosque where he met with Muslim women.

He was welcomed amidst the recitation of the Holy Quran. Hajia Ayi, Deputy Instructor of the Hajia Alolo Islamic Institute, applauded Dr Bawumia for the visit, noting that it would be a memorable day for them.

She appealed to Dr Bawumia to support the institute with a vehicle and a modern edifice to facilitate the teaching and learning of Arabic in the area. The Vice President indicated that the vehicle would be provided and an assessment would be made to see how the other requests could be provided.

The team moved to the Kumbungu district where Dr Bawumia observed his Zuhr prayers and later met with the Chief of Kumbungu, Naa Iddrisu Abu, and his elders.

Naa Iddrisu, in addressing Dr Bawumia, admonished him to ensure the area gets its share of the national cake.

"I implore you, Vice President, to remember the people of Kumbungu in the implementation of government's programmes and policies. You promised us some development projects and programmes. I want to remind you that the home should first be considered before extending anything out," he pleaded.

Kumbungu Naa Iddrisu Abu urged government to work on the district assembly bungalows since the staff and the District Chief Executive are on a rented premises.

He called on government to construct the Kumbungu-Gbulung road and other adjoining roads to different communities in the district.

He said the Kumbungu Senior High School is now a boarding school but lacks the requisite logistics and facilities. He suggested an upgrade to the Kumbungu Hospital into a modern and specialised health facility.

In his speech, Dr Bawumia reiterated government's commitment to implement the $1 million per constituency policy, one district-one factory project, as well the one dam-one village programme.

He said government has subsidised the price of fertiliser by 50 per cent adding the authorities will help farmers to acquire other farming implements.

Dr Bawumia assured the people that the Free SHS policy will be rolled out this year and the teacher and nurse trainee allowance will be restored in September this year.

Dr Bawumia is expected to hold a dinner with the Muslim community later in the night at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.