Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - Sheihk I.C Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Wednesday said he had worked towards a peaceful and tranquil region where adherents of various religions mingle in the spirit of brotherhood.

"The annual ban on drumming brings few problems, there is peaceful co-existence between Christians and Moslems and others, and we have put in place strategies to beat down armed robbery to the barest minimum," the Minister designate said when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra.

Sheihk Quaye disagreed with the perception that the city of Accra was filthy, adding that the city had been admired by some foreigners for its cleanliness.

The Islam scholar, who described himself as a "down trodden man," has lived a life punctuated by spells of imprisonment.

He associated himself with the poor, voiceless and the unfortunate, adding that:" I weep with them when they are sad and laugh with them when they are happy".

He was first detained in 1964, moving in and out of gaol until 1978.

"I suffered detention at a tender age. My house was pulled down as I was told that I had engaged in subversion activities."

He said he educated himself in prison as he "made time" with other prisoners who were" full of knowledge".

According to the nominee, he devoted the rest of his days after prison to religious broadcasting and writing.

He described his wife as "a strong, resourceful woman who kept faith with me in all my days in and out of prison and that I dare not take any other woman for wife."

When asked how many women he had as wives, he said he would not be able to follow the Koranic rule that a husband shall treat all his wives equally so he kept one.

On a petition that he had imposed his sister on an association of women operating in the Makola central market in Accra, as their leader, he said: "I'm not involved in Makola palaver".