Lt- Col (retired) Henry Smith, Minister of Defence on Friday said the exceptional quality of selfishness portrayed by Abraham in obeying Allah’s command to sacrifice his only son; Ismail had a deeper implication beyond the ritual sacrifice.

He said the symbolic sacrifice should serve as a driving force that should motivate the actions of Ghanaians to strive to build a nation together.

Lt. Col Smith was addressing the Muslim group in the Ghana Armed Forces after they had held the Eidul-Adha prayers at the Al-Aziz Central Mosque at Burma Camp in Accra.

“Even as we envisage the rather tense situation that the nation always finds itself just before and during elections, let us remain true to our democratic aspirations and facilitate a peaceful atmosphere for the promotion of democracy and national development”, he said

The Defence Minister expressed appreciation and gratitude to all personnel and partners in operational theatres outside Ghana who were championing the cause for global peace, security and unity.

Lt. General Augustine Blay, the Chief of Defence Staff, who also addressed the Muslims, urged them to let the lessons of Eidul-Adha to imbue in them a greater sense of sacrifice and devotion.

“You are the ones your civilian counterparts rely upon to rise to their defence when the sovereignty of the nation is at stake. In this election year, therefore, as you undertake your duties in the defence of our young democracy, you must not be oblivious of your civic responsibility towards impartiality to all stakeholders in the forthcoming elections”, he said.

Lt. General Blay therefore urged the soldiers to remain neutral, describing it as “much cherished virtue in much the same way as your devotion to the sanctity of the state”.

He advised the soldiers to let the spirit of sacrifice and charity to be a permanent hallmark of theirs, saying: “Service to God can only be demonstrated by service to humanity.”

Lt. Col Sheikh Umar Sanda Ahmed, Chief Imam of Ghana Armed Forces led the congregation.

President John Dramani Mahama donated two bulls to the Soldiers for the celebration.