Kumasi, Jan 3, GNA - Heads of Muslim and Zongo communities have been advised to collaborate with each other and evolve practicable programmes to develop and sustain clean environment in the Zongos. Dr Adamu Gibrine, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Asokwa East, who gave the advice, said such programmes should make provision for undertaking of regular clean-up exercises as well as initiatives to constantly educate the people about the value of personal and environmental hygiene.

He was addressing a mini-durbar held in his honour by Muslim and Zongo heads, opinion leaders and people of Ayigya Zongo in Kumasi on Friday.

This was soon after Dr Gibrine joined the Muslim community at Ayigya Zongo Central Mosque to pray and worship.

He also used the occasion to donate a quantity of foodstuffs, including rice and edible oil, to be used to prepare meals for workers currently working on the new Ayigya Zongo Central Mosque. Dr Gibrine stressed that it was vital to give priority to issues related to environmental cleanliness since there was no facet of the human life or community that could be effectively developed in an indecent environment.

He also entreated the youth to cease idling and gambling with their lives by indulging in immoral conduct and social vices and rather channel their youthful energies into more productive ventures. Alhaji Gado Suleimana, NDC Chairman for Asokwa East constituency, expressed regret that even though the Muslim and Zongo communities boasted of many wealthy people, they turn to invest their wealth in the procurement of "big gowns and utensils only to be stored in their rooms."

"Time has come for them to turn a new leaf and rather channel such resources into enrolling and supporting efforts at providing formal education for their wards," he said.