A renowned Moslem Scholar, Professor Emeritus Lukeman MOHAMMED has described as very insulting and denigration of Muslims and others who live in Zongos, the promise to Develop a Zongo Development to raise the image of such communities.
Professor MOHAMMED, a senior Lecturer at the City University of New York said politicians should seize looking down on the intelligence of people of northern origin who live in such deprived communities with vague promises.
He was contributing to a forum during Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah's encounter with Professionals.
The Professor who sounded very emotional elaborated; "I find this statement very discriminatory. I find this statement as being called special. Let us treat Zongo people just as we do to all Ghanaians. That Zongo Development Fund in our sense is not doable. I heard some lies over there but please let us not treat Zongo people that way"
Professor MOHAMMED did not mention any political party but he was obviously reacting to a promise by the New Patriotic Party NPP.
GHANA'S largest opposition party has been parading series of promises to the Zongo community particularly, referring to the choice of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia as running mate as a key example of its commitment.
But Professor believes Dr Bawumia a Muslim has failed to protect the dignity of Muslims by speaking against the import of Nana ADDO's campaign team.
The NPP and the NDC have been debating each other over policies and previous actions by their governments to promote the interest of Muslims and Zongo communities by extension.
Many aged Muslims whose parents were chased out of the country when Nana Akufo ADDO's father, briefly acted as GHANA'S President.
The pain, loss and bitterness is still vivid in their minds and have vowed to vote against the Danquah Dombo Busua tradition.
The NDC which is exploiting it however insists its governments have demonstrated real commitment.
President John MAHAMA's government has built what for now is the only Islamic College of Education in West Africa at Wenchi which will help Train Islamic teachers in Arabic .
The NDC saw creation of the Islamic Education Unit. The NDC government under Jerry Rawlings passed a law creating two holidays to commemorate holy days on the Islamic calendar.
The NDC has promised to pass a policy that will make Arabic examinable in schools which offer them
The NDC, which has never elected a Moslem as a Vice Presidential candidate or candidate is also in record for creating the three regions of the north which opened up development in the area.
Professor MOHAMMED's strong objection amplifies the position of the silent majority who have read in between the lines.
Zongos are areas populated predominantly by settlers from Northern sahel areas.
Many of the settlers there are few who remained and grouped in those deprived areas to resettle after their parents properties were seized under the Aliens Compliance Order.
Critics of the NPP promise have asked few questions the party has avoided.
Does it mean that the zongos will be developed separately from the district where they settled?
Will it be resourced through the consolidated fund?
Does it mean that, projects in those districts will not be extended to the zongos because they would already have their developmental programs ?
Is the NPP by this telling us that the members of the zongos doesn't deserve to be among others, so creating a different " world" for them ?
Would the NPP create funds for Ewe settlers in the Ashanti region too?
Source: The Republic Newspaper
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Prof do little, a u happy with the current situations in our zongos? No wonder u belonged to the ndc.
Well done prof u ve exhibit ur ignorance in Public u ve been in USA for so many years now claimed dat u r enlightened not knowing u r just an ordinary old aging opportunist. Question. Prof Luckman can u pinpoint 1 or 2 developmental suggestion u made to Zango Under development canker. Am truly yours Thank u.
That "human beings by nature are zoom politic". To proceed on this line, any statement or comment made on the political landscape has some political sympathy. The good Professor should come again. If it was insulting and no need to create the Zongo Dev't Fund then equally it was insulting to establish SADA because it amounted to segregation. But in development practice, no two situations are ever the same. For this reason one would have to recognize and deal with each case separately and uniquely. This is what the NPP has recognized and intend to do. In development, we have physical and human development. Let the NDC understand that no separate hospital nor road would be built and say Muslims or Zongo community use this. However, Zongo communities have peculiar problems such as high school dropout, hygiene and sanitation, maternal and child health issues, pockets of social vices etc. These are largely poverty driven issues. Therefore, a special fund established to help the Muslim ummah in particular and the nation at large is a step in the right direction. Professor rethink your position on this matter.
Being a 'Professor" what have u done for ur community? yet someone brings out an idea which will help ur own people and u are here saying what u want cos of politics. I pity this man. God will surely judge u cos u dont have ur people at heart rather it is about u and ur selfish interest.
THE SPIN, TWIST AND TURN OF INTERLECTUALLY DISHONEST MAN EXTREMELY AND EXTRAORDINARILY CONFUSED MAN PLEASE GO BACK TO YOUR PEOPLE AND MAKE YOUR RESEARCH THEN YOU WILL KNOW PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE EMEMIES OF THE NORTHERNERS. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW NDC TO PLAY ON YOUR INTERLLIGENCE
Prof. don't be emotional. You have just shown your biase towards the NDC. As learned person i was expecting to to be fair and neutral in your analysis of issues. Shame unto you.
You said what the Chief of Staff wanted to hear, I will ask Bawumia to visit you and hear what you tell him for a good response from him
The professor had come out with a deed provoking thought analysis. What the ZONGO'S need most is the quality education to empower their thinking capabilities and to educate others as well but not a fund set aside for somebody to Kyoto to somebody interest. When the funds get finished what would they be doing, Sitting aloof. It is important that we put on our thinking cups and help develop Ghana comprehensively for the benefit of all devoid of this NPP BANKRUPT BOGUS IDEA of setting aside this FUND which clearly breeds separation.
What is wrong with the Northern Scholarship Scheme. Is it not derogatory to set up funding for the northerners only? Many of the beneficiaries are the children of persons like the professor who live in Accra and Kumasi. The locals are not benefiting so much. Professor, zongo communities can be found everywhere in Ghana including Tamale, Wa etc. Zongos were not set up by politicians. Persons like you should go back home and help build your towns and villages.
THEN, PROFESSOR, YOU BENEFITED FROM FREE EDUCATION FOR THE NORTHERNERS BEFORE YOU WERE ABLE TO REACH WHERE YOU ARE NOW.. PLEASE GO AND REFUND THAT MONEY.