Minister urges Muslim youths to avoid violence

Wenchi (B/A), Sept 3, GNA - Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has advised zongo communities to avoid acts that could disturb the peace during the campaigns towards the 2008 general election.

He particularly advised the youth not to allow politicians to engage them for criminal or violent activities, "since you are not their reserve forces to unleash violence or other unhealthy acts on innocent people".

Addressing Moslems at the celebration of the 13th annual Brong Ahafo Regional Ramadan Conference at Wenchi, the Regional Minister said the nation was in a crucial period and there was the need for all to pray unceasingly for peaceful campaigns and elections in 2008. The celebration coincided with the inauguration of the Wenchi chapter of the Coalition of Muslim Organizations of Ghana (COMOG) and the induction of its executive into office to serve for two years. Mr Baffour-Awuah noted that very often politicians mobilized some residents of zongo communities to do "the dirty work" through machoism, quarrels and other unproductive activities and then neglect them after achieving their goals.

"All Ghanaians have equal opportunities to aspire to attain responsible political positions, so why must you allow yourselves to be used to advance someone or a party's interests?" he asked. Hajia Bintu Ibrahim Farizana, Wenchi District Chief Executive, urged Moslem parents and guardians to teach their children to observe and be guided by the aims and objectives of the Ramadan festival. She advised the youth to eschew violent acts, unproductive and undesirable activities, as well as premarital sex so they could meaningfully contribute to the maintenance of peace and development in their communities.

"I urge all of you to avoid sinful acts as we get ready to celebrate the Ramadan and let's forget about past conflicts amongst us", the DCE told her fellow Moslems.

Alhaji Umar Abdul-Kadir, Brong Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, stated that the formation of COMOG was aimed at uniting all Muslims and to set up an educational fund to assist needy but brilliant Muslim students to pursue formal education.

He urged all Moslems to let unity be their watchword and pursue peaceful c-existence with all others as demanded by the Koran.