The National Hilal Committee on Thursday night announced the sighting of the new moon in Kumasi, which is the 29th Shaban, marking the commencement of the Ramadan fasting period for 2012.

This was contained in a statement issued by Sheikh Mahmoud Mohammed Gedel, Chairman of the Committee and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

It said: “On the authority of the National Chief Imam of Ghana and the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, the National Hilal Committee, Ghana wishes to announce that Muslims throughout the country are to start the Ramadan fasting at dawn of July 20.

“The committee wishes all Muslims in Ghana a successful Ramadan fasting,” the statement concluded.**