Accra, May 20, GNA - The National Council for Muslim Chiefs on Thursday commended government for including Sheik Nuhu Osman Sharabutu, National Chief Imam on President John Evans Atta Mills' delegation to Nigeria recently for the funeral of the late President Umar Musah Yar'Adua. "The inclusion of the Chief Imam on the trip to offer special Muslim prayers for the departed soul of the late President is simply a testimony that President Atta Mills is indeed a unifier who is building a better Ghana not for only a section of Ghanaians, but for all Ghanaians."

These were contained in a statement signed and read by Alhaji Chief Iddrisu Bingle, Deputy General Secretary of the Council, when Vice President John Dramani Mahama mourned with Chief Baba Issah, Chairman of the Council who lost his wife Adisa Baba Issah a few weeks ago at Maamobi, a suburb of Accra.

The statement said the inclusion of the National Chief Imam on the delegation to Nigeria signified the recognition of the Muslim Faith and uplifting it to the highest pedestal on the government's agenda. "We thank His Excellency President John Atta Mills for the respect and recognition he continues to give the Muslim community...and we are assuring the President that the Muslim Community throughout the country will continue to offer prayers for Allah to guide and protect him."

Vice President Mahama asked the bereaved family to take consolation in the fact that the late Madam Adisa left behind six children who were all working hard for mother Ghana, adding "It is God that gives and the same God that takes, and I will plead with you to pray for a perfect rest for her soul in heaven."

He said government was committed to supporting deprived communities throughout the country to become self-reliant and since Muslims were in the deprived communities everything would be done to make them comfortable. "Education is the only tool that drives away poverty and I know that if your children are well educated they will one day bring Muslim communities out of the financial, material and social deprivation." The late Adisa, first wife of Chief Baba Issah, Wangara chief of Maamobi, was 71 years. She made sure all her children were well educated to the tertiary education level.