Kumasi, Dec 28, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) will soon descend on Muslim youth who have constituted themselves into terrorists groups and were harassing innocent citizens in the Muslim communities in the region.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, who announced this, called on parents whose children belonged to the gangs, to advise them to disassociate themselves from such activities forthwith or face the wrath of the REGSEC, which would deal ruthlessly with anyone caught braking the law.

He was speaking at a fund-raising conference of the Ashanti region Muslim Women's Association in Kumasi on Saturday. The Regional Minister called on Muslims to assist the government maintain peace, law and order in their communities and the country for development.

Mr Boafo commended the women for forming the association and said could ensure the welfare if they worked together as one people with a common destiny.

He said: "You can tap your various talents, pool resources and work as a united group to develop the association, your communities and your individual selves to improve upon your living standards". Alhaji Boniface Abubakr Saddique, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, called on Muslims to eschew violence even under extreme provocation.

He asked Muslims to reflect on issues that ensure development rather that activities that would retard development progress in this era of nation building.

Alhaji Saddique said: "It was not for nothing that the Prophet Mohammed asked Muslims to seek knowledge even if it is in China but because of the importance of education" and advised Muslims not to isolate themselves from educational issues.

He asked the women to remain united to ensure their development and the survival and welfare of their children.

Alhaji Ibrahim Dansoho, Sarkin Zongo of Kumasi, assured the Regional Minister that the bad nuts in the Muslim communities would soon be exposed.

The Sarkin Zongo of Kumasi, therefore, called on Muslim youth to be law-abiding and desist from acts contrary to Islamic practices and teachings.

Hajia Aisha, vice-chairperson of the association, said it comprised of about 900 members in the region and explained that the association was formed to enable members to discover their potential for the development their families.