Imam says religious leaders must bring politicians to order

Ho, Nov 13, GNA- Alhaji Hamzar Umar Danjumah, the Volta Regional Imam, on Saturday expressed concern about the inability of Christian and Moslem leaders to bring erring public figures, especially politicians, to order.

He said as guardians of the spiritual lives of the people, religious leaders must resist being cowed by the perceived powers of public office holders to remain silent on important issues of state and society. Alhaji Danjumah was delivering a message at prayers to mark Eid ul-Fitr at the Police Depot Park in Ho.

He told the worshippers to be wary of politicians who would entice them with gifts and money to vote for them and should refuse to be led into any form of violence during the election. Alhaji Danjumah urged Moslems to regard the education of their children as a priority since education was the best asset a parent could bequeath his children.

Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, the Volta Regional Minister, said the security and development of the nation was a collective responsibility of all. He said the state and Moslems were, therefore, partners working together for the socio-economic development the country. Mr Owusu-Yeboa said democracy entailed having divergent views and that "we all have the right to belong to different political parties". He appealed to "all other parties in the region to refrain from all acts of hooliganism and intimidation before, during and after the election".

Mr Owusu-Yeboa, on behalf of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, presented three bags of rice, two bags of sugar and 2 million cedis cash to the Moslem community.