Koforidua, (E/R), Sept, 30 GNA - Hundreds of Muslims in Koforidua, on Tuesday converged at Central Mosque of the city to celebrate this year's Ramadan.

Alhaji Yusif Amdani, Eastern Regional Chief Imam, thanked Allah for helping Muslims to go through another Ramadan year without any "bad news".

He urged Muslims all over the country to put into practice lessons they learnt during the fasting period in order to make the country a better place to live in.

Alhaji Amdani said "As we break our Ramadan fast, let us remember that we do not have any control over destiny and as such we should not gamble with our lives, as our noble prophet told us". He urged Ghanaians to pay particular attention to the environment since environmental pollution could cause illness and affect the health of the people.

Alhaji Amdani called on Muslims to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable them to access affordable health care.

He cautioned Muslims against violence before, during and after Election 2008 and advised that they should not allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble.

Alhaji Amdani said "Ghana is the only place we have and as Ghanaians, we should continue to pray to Allah to give us peace so that we can overcome the temptations of party politics and selfishness". He also asked all the presidential candidates and members of the various political parties contesting the 2008 Election, to ensure tolerance and understanding in events leading to the polls. Alhaji Amdani urged the Electoral Commission to ensure transparent, free and fair polls so that Ghana would continue to be the oasis of peace in the West African sub-region.

Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minister, urged Muslims to unite as one people with a common destiny so that the people in the region would continue to enjoy peace. Mr Yaw Barimah, Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South, donated 10 bags of rice in support of the festival.