General News of Thursday, 20 January 2005

Source: GNA

Muslims asked to use Adha to unite

Koforidua, Jan. 20, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister-designate, Mr Yaw Barimah, has called on all Muslims to use this year's Eid-ul-Adha to unite to promote development of the country.

He therefore, urged them to avoid acts that could bring the name of Islam into disrepute, adding, "Ghana is for all and no particular tribe is inferior".

Mr Yaw Barimah, who is also the out-going Minister for Manpower, Development and Employment, was addressing Muslims worshipers at the Koforidua Central Mosque on Thursday to mark the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).

He reminded them that Ghana was a nation of many tribes, saying, despising one particular ethnic tribe would not make the country develop toward the goals it had set within a time frame to achieve.

Mr Barimah, who is also the MP for the New Juaben South, used the opportunity to thank the electorate in the New Juaben municipality and the entire Zongo communities in the region, for renewing the mandate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and for the success of the election devoid of any casualty throughout the electioneering period.

He noted that the oneness exhibited in last year's general elections showed that Ghanaians "have come of age" and that the people of Ghana, irrespective of their tribes, had the development of the nation at heart.

The Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Yussif Amuda Suleman, prayed for peace and called on his fellow Muslims and non-Muslims to demonstrate love and concern for their fellow human beings.

He appealed to Muslims to embrace the New Juaben Muslim Education Fund and the National Health Insurance Scheme, adding, "we cannot practise our religion without good education and good health". Mr Yaw Barimah presented 500,000 cedis to the Imam towards the celebration.