Government to fairly distribute national cake, ensure freedom of worship

Accra, March 12, GNA-President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday reiterated Government's commitment to distribute the national cake equitably and ensure freedom of worship. He thanked Allah for the peace Ghana was enjoying, and said it was wrong for anyone to try to impose religious views on others since in Ghana, there was freedom of choice and religion.

President Mills had joined Muslim congregants at the Abossey Okai Central Mosque in Accra, in worship as part of this Year's National Prayer and Thanksgiving, which also formed part of the celebrations of the nation's 53rd Independence Day. He said all religions led to God, and there was no reason for intolerance.

The President also expressed thanks for the political tolerance that existed in Ghana, stressing that Ghanaians were all one people with a common destiny. While underlining the need for unity, President Mills said, Government, as social democratic government, placed emphasis on the needs of the underprivileged. "Those who do not have will be the first to receive," the President said as he renewed Government's promise for equitable development.

President Mills who recalled visiting the Muslim community to seek Allah's face for peace in the last general elections, also joined Muslims to worship Allah and thanked him after the elections turned out successfully. "Let's give thanks and praises to Allah for every opportunity, for he has brought peace to Ghana," President Mills said. He also thanked Allah for Government's ability to make the last Hajj pilgrimage, a success, saying the Muslims deserved it, and gave the assurance that Government would continue to support the Hajj so that Muslims could continue to give praise to Allah.

President Mills said a number of Ministers in his Administration were Muslims, and they had been chosen because they had what it took for Ghana to build a better Ghana.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam, in a message made a passionate appeal to all Muslims in Ghana to drop any intended actions against a Christian preacher who made a statement that was considered an insult to the Islamic faith. According to the Chief Imam, the Rev. Charles Agyin-Asare, of the Word Miracle Bible Church, had written a letter to his office and apologised over the sermon of that preacher. "I'm calling on all Muslims to drop any actions intended against the Christian preacher," Sheikh Sharabutu said.

Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, National Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, urged the youth to improve themselves through education. He said Government was on course with its educational support programme with the distribution of free school uniform and was building structures to

eliminate what had come to be known as "under the tree schools" Later Sheikh Sharabutu, who sat close by President Mills instructed the slaughter of the "sacrificial animal", which was witnessed by Alhaji Mohamed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs. A similar service is scheduled for next Sunday for the Christian community at the Independence Square in Accra.