Accra, Jan. 22, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has promised to make qualified Muslims part of his administration to realize the national vision of a better Ghana.

He said appointment of Muslims to positions of responsibility would be based on qualification and not merely on the grounds of being a Muslim.

Speaking to a delegation from the National Muslims Council, which paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra, President Mills assured Ghanaians of fair appointments based on qualifications for the benefit of building a better nation.

President Atta Mills acknowledged the availability of national skilled human resources and gave an indication to start the use the nation's human resources with those from deprived communities. The President said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a social democratic party, recognized the support it enjoyed from Muslim communities.

He said in line with the national constitutional requirements of balance in regional and geographical representation, the Government would be making the best use of is human resources, beginning first with the underprivileged, marginalized and deprived.

President Atta Mills promised to run an open and transparent government, and gave the assurance that the Zongos would be part of the national development agenda.

He thanked the leadership and membership of the Muslim groups in Ghana for their prayers for peace and stability in the run-up to the elections and thereafter and urged them to pray harder for the nation even after the elections.

"I will urge you to continue to pray to Allah to give me and my team wisdom to create a better Ghana for the benefit of us all," President Atta Mills said, adding, "May Allah continue to bless you and use you for the benefit of our dear nation."

Sheikh Dr. Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam and the leader of the delegation, said the hard won victory of the President at the last general election was an expression of the confidence that Ghanaians had in the President's ability to lead the nation for a better future. He congratulated the President and his Vice on their election and called on contending factions in the election to bury their differences and come together to form a united front to find solutions to the problems of the nation.

In that regard, the Chief Imam commended the President for his inaugural statement to be a father for all Ghanaians and to implement a policy of inclusiveness as the most appropriate in the aftermath of the confrontational electioneering process. He prayed for the help of Allah to help and guide the President to fulfill his promises and in the process heal the wounds of the nation so that Ghanaians would together work for national economic transformation.

"What Ghana needs most is a purposeful leadership that has the capacity and the ability to command the respect of all and also the capacity to create a vision of a prosperous future for all. We need selfless leadership that is fair and just and also has the courage of its convictions and the strength to take bold and firm decisions. "...In conclusion, the National Chief Imam prays for good health and God's guidance for the president, members of Government and God's guidance for the president, members of government and the good people of Ghana," the National Chief Imam said.