Kumasi, July 8, GNA - Mallam Zakaria Abdul Rahman, has been inaugurated as the Deputy Ashanti Regional Imam of the Ghana Muslim Mission.

This was at a ceremony held at Abrepo-Junction in Kumasi, which brought together a large gathering of members of the Mission. He replaces Sheikh Abdul Mumeen, who has been elevated to the position of Regional Imam.

Sheikh Dr Amin Bonsu, Deputy National Chief Imam of the Mission, who was on hand to perform the inauguration, said they needed to work harder to promote Islam in the country.

He said the best way to achieve this goal was to build more Islamic schools to bring the religion and development to the people.

He encouraged them to put premium on education to help reduce poverty, ignorance, joblessness and crime, particularly among the youth.

It should not be lost on anyone that it was only by assisting young people to pursue academic careers that they could be assured of a better future.

"This is also in the interest of the growth of our religion," he added. Naba Musah Akambonga II, Chief of the Frafra Community, described the duties of the Imam as demanding and urged Mallam Rahman to help preserve cherished values of their religion.

The new Deputy Imam pledged to service with dedication.