Ho, Aug. 31, GNA - The government has absorbed 13 Islamic (Makaranta) schools in the Volta region this year. The Islamic authorities would continue to recruit teachers for those schools while government takes up the payment of their allowances. Mr Joseph Amenowode, the Volta Regional Minister, said this at the public prayers by Muslims in Ho to mark the end of their month long Ramadan fast.

He said the government's decision to share responsibility over those schools with the Islamic authorities was borne out of its conviction that children needed to be given solid religious and moral as well as secular education to prepare them to become responsible, disciplined and successful adults.

Mr Amenowode said 93the prevailing peace among Muslims, Christians and other faiths has given impetus to our socio-economic development" and urged Muslims to continue making strenuous efforts to maintain the peace.

He said the lessons learnt during the fast should help build a strong bond with God to the benefit of the country. The Volta Regional Coordinating Council presented 15 bags each of rice and maize and 10 cartons of cooking oil to the Muslim community on behalf of government. Captain George Nfodjo (retired) Member of Parliament for Ho Central also donated 1,000 Ghana cedis to the Muslims.