The Chief Imam of Senegal, Sheikh Hassan Cisse, has arrived in the country for a three-day visit. Sheikh Cisse, who is also the Chancellor of the African-American Institute in Senegal, was met on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra yesterday by Mr Rashid Bawa; the Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Major (rtd) Mustapha Ahmed, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, the Dagomba Chief, Abdul Kadir Tahir, Sheikh Abdul Wadud from Kumasi, Muslim clergy and scholars.

Among the Sheikh?s entourage were some delegates from the United States of America and Mauritania.

Briefing the press later at the VIP Lounge, the Secretary to Sheikh Cisse, Sheikh Jerry Cisse, stated that the visit was to afford the Imam the opportunity to interact with the Muslim clergy on issues relating to education, health and social development, as well as to send his felicitations to the President, John Agyekum Kufuor on his effort at solving problems facing the West African sub-region.

The Senegalese Chief Imam, who was in the country last year, will pay a courtesy call on the Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, as well as visit some parts of the country, including Kumasi to fellowship with Muslim clergy and scholars.

Sheikh Cisse disclosed that the Chief Imam will continue his journey to South Africa to join Muslims there to participate in the celebration of Maulid Nabiu (the birth of Prophet Mohammed).

He noted that the Sheikh, whose interest is to promote education, health and economic development in the West African sub-region, in collaboration with American partners, has established the first postgraduate medical school in Senegal to admit citizens of West Africa for their Masters programme.

Sheikh Cisse added that the Chief Imam has also established an NGO in Senegal, and has a branch in Ghana, saying ?our aim is to promote socio-economic development among people, especially among Muslim communities in Ghana?.