Accra, Sept 3, GNA - Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, on Saturday urged Muslim women not to overlook time in their pursuit of success.

She said this was because often, one's progress depended on the ability to meet deadlines beyond, which efforts became worthless. Hajia Alima was speaking in Accra at the 12th Annual National Conference of the Federation of Muslim Women's Association in Ghana (FOMWAG), where she represented President John Agyekum Kufuor and Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.

The conference, which was under the theme, "By Time: Is Woman In a State of Loss?" was attended by members from all over the country. Hajia Alima said it was important that the teaching of time management was seriously considered for a progressive society. She urged Muslim Women to have as many children as they could effectively cater for.

The Minister said this was important for the progress of the nation, since well-educated children grew into adults more capable of taking care of both themselves and their social obligations.

Hajia Alima said the fact that the ratio of women to men in terms of HIV/AIDS was two to one was unfortunate and urged Muslims and the youth to be more responsible with their sexual behavior.

Alhaji Mohammed Sani, President of the Ghana Coalition of Muslim Organizations, urged Muslims to inculcate high standards of morality in their children.

He said this was the only means that the moral decadence in the society could be effectively dealt with. Alhaji Sani said this was most crucial, considering the high level of moral decadence in modern times.

He said due to the fact that children were much more easily influenced than adults, the best way to ensure a morally upright society was to begin with the young ones.

Alhaji Sani said without discipline no nation could progress, adding that, morality and discipline went hand-in-hand.

Sheikh I C Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said FOMWAG had become a shining example in Ghana.

"You have built a family and it is for us the men to support you," he stated and commended the women for the unity they had achieved. He said God was for the unity of mankind and not a society characterised by racial, tribal and sectarian divisions. Sheikh Quaye observed that the time was now ripe in Ghana for Muslims to unite and said that the best way to demonstrate one's love for God was to love his neighbor.

The Federation, which begun twelve years ago now has a membership of over two thousand nation-wide.