Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has appealed to Muslims to prioritize the education of their children as it was the bedrock for development.

He urged them to discard the notion that formal education would turn their children away from Islam.

Mr Aidoo made the call in an address read on his behalf by Mr Julius Atta Bediako, Jaman South District Chief Executive, at the 19th Annual Conference on Ramadan held at Japekrom in the Brong Ahafo Region.

He said peace was necessary for national development and called for peaceful cohabitation between muslims and other religions as they shun all activities that would put Islam in disrepute.

Mr Aidoo said the current challenges of the nation including the incidence of fire outbreaks, armed robbery and road crashes are major concerns for many and appealed to the muslims to pray for the country.

He said the government was aware of the contribution of muslims towards national development and urged them not to relent on their efforts.

Mr Ismaila Mustapha, a staff at the Jaman South District Directorate of Education, expressed concern about the unnecessary interference by parents in the work of teachers.

He said the education sector had instituted measures for parents to register their grievances, and report teachers when they felt aggrieved.

Speaking on the topic “Muslim Youth – An Agent for Social Change”, Imam Zakaria Ibrahim, Dormaa Municipal Chief Imam, acknowledged the challenges modernity posed to parenting, but noted it did not exonerate parents from not undertaking their responsibilities.

He urged parents to ensure high moral training for their children from infancy to serve as a guide for them during their youthful stage.

Alhaji Ibrahim Kumi, Japekrom Chief Imam, said God’s command for procreation was to bring forth prominent children but not children who would engage in social vices, hence the need to improve the quality of Islamic education.

He enumerated some of the achievements of Muslims at Japekrom to include the establishment of an Islamic Education Unit, a teacher’s bungalow and a World Bank sponsored classroom blocks.

Alhaji Umar Abdul-Kadir, Brong-Ahafo Regional Chief Imam, commended Muslims in the Region for their cooperation and announced this year’s Ramadan which would begin on the ninth or 10th of July.