Accra, Oct. 5 GNA - The Senior Minister, Mr Joseph Henry Mensah has commended the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS) for its development activities and support for orphans in the country.

He said he was particularly grateful to the Council for projects it had undertaken in the Sunyani East Constituency where he is the Member of Parliament.

The Council has been constructing schools, clinics, wells and mosques in different parts of the country alongside poverty reduction schemes especially for women.

A press release signed by Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim, Chairman of the Council in Accra on Wednesday, said the Senior Minister's commendation followed a visit to the Headquarters of the ICODEHS. It said Mr Mensah urged the Council to intensify its efforts at helping to bring progress to the society and to portray a positive image of Islam.

The Senior Minister advised development-oriented Non-Governmental Organisations to ensure that their activities fitted into the Government's development agenda.

Sheikh Ibrahim thanked Mr Mensah for his concern for the welfare of Muslims not only in his Constituency but the entire nation and pledged that they would not relent in their efforts.

Meanwhile, the Council has inaugurated a number of projects undertaken at a total cost of more than 2.5 billion cedis. These included 29 mosques, an orphanage at Adenta and school buildings at Lapaz in Accra, Asamankese in the Eastern and Ejura in the Ashanti Region. 5 Oct. 2005