Nkoranza (B/A), Oct. 16, GNA - A Moslem leader at Nkoranza in Brong Ahafo has urged the leadership of political parties to exhibit tolerance during the electioneering campaign towards the 2008 elections. Alhaji Osman Ahmed Yeboah, Chief Imam, who was addressing about 400 Moslems at the District Assembly Preparatory 'A' Junior High School at Nkoranza to mark the Eid Il Fitr festival stressed the need for unity, peace and understanding to prevail in all communities. "The elections in 2008 is crucial in the history of the country and it is incumbent on all Ghanaians to pray to Allah to shower his blessings on us for peace and understanding amongst us towards successful elections", he added.
The Chief Imam advised Moslem parents to enrol their children in schools to enable them to acquire the right knowledge that would shape their lives to become responsible citizens. Alhaji Yeboah cautioned them against forcing their young daughters into early marriages but advised them to encourage them to pursue higher education so that they could help promote Islam and its ideals. He led the Moslems to pray for Allah's protection for President Kufuor and the state leadership to be imbued with courage, love and the intelligence to govern the country.
The Chief Imam and the faithful also prayed for the Omanhene of Nkoranza, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom 1V and his elders and wished them well to be able to co-ordinate ideas to enhance the development of the area. Okatakyie Agyeman, who is President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, commended the Moslems for their contributions towards the development of the area.
He thanked the Moslems for calling on him at the palace to wish him well and urged Moslems and Christians to continue to co-exist in peace.
Meanwhile, the Nkoranza District Assembly at the weekend presented about 50 bags of sugar and 60 bags of rice all valued at about GH=A24,000 (40 million cedis) to Moslems in the District. The items are to be distributed amongst the 22 Moslem communities in Nkoranza South constituency and 20 other communities in Nkoranza North.
Mr James Kwabena Appiah-Awuah, District Chief Executive, told the Ghana News Agency that the gesture was to wish the Moslems well and for a successful Ramadan.
He expressed the government's appreciation for the efforts and hard work of Moslems in the nation's development and urged them to attach great importance to the education of their children so that they would grow to become responsible leaders.
The DCE advised the Moslem youth to avoid anti-social activities and to show respect to authority.
Mr Abdulai Yaw Adu, Nkoranza North constituency chairman of the New Patriotic Party, who received the items on behalf of the Moslems, thanked the Assembly for the offer. 16 Oct. 07
