"Participate in population census" - Muslims advised

Accra, Sept 4, GNA - Mr. Mohammed Frimpong, a Census Facilitator, on Saturday appealed to Muslims to participate fully in the forthcoming 2010 Population Census to enable them to get their fair share of the national cake.

"The last census indicated that Muslims in the country formed only 15 percent of the country's population because we have over the years been apathetic towards national exercises." Mr. Frimpong made the call at a seminar, organized by the Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana, (COMOG) for its members in Accra.

The seminar, which attracted about 60 participants from both adult and youth Muslim organizations, was under the theme; "2010 Population Census - Enlightened Participation in efforts Towards a Genuine National Development."

Mr. Frimpong, who is also a leading member of COMOG, indicated that the census was important for development adding, "we always have anachronistic beliefs about census and other national assignments only to turn round to blame political authorities." He cautioned that the census approach was not like other registration exercises, which engaged every individual, with its associated queues at various locations. He, therefore, appealed to family heads to avail themselves to enumerators in order to provide accurate information on their households. "I want to also assure you here that the exercise will not discriminate against anyone in terms of education or religion and I appeal to all of you to cooperate with the census officials." The census facilitator said Muslim communities lacked social facilities such as schools, health centres and they could mainly improve on these if they participated in government policies. Major RTD Issah Mohammed, Chairman of COMOG, said the census was meant for all Ghanaians, including Muslims, and those who would ignore the exercise were not only harming themselves as individuals, but the Muslim community.

"The apathy among Muslims towards national issues has over the years thwarted our efforts and I challenge all Muslims to change your attitude towards the census programme, beginning this year." 04 Sept.10