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The Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, has asked Muslims across the country to use the end of the Ramadan to intensify their prayers for the nation ahead of the forthcoming general election.
 
While calling for unity among the rank and file of the Islamic faith in Ghana to further consolidate the gains the country had chalked up in terms of peace, he urged the various religions to commit the nation to prayer.

Mr Amissah-Arthur made the call when he joined Muslims at the Holy Child prayer grounds in Cape Coast yesterday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr.

School project

He conveyed President John Mahama’s message to the people and reminded Muslims in Cape Coast of the President’s pledge to construct an Islamic school for them once they (Muslims) acquired a land for that purpose.

Eid-ul-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayers.

Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during the spiritual exercise.

Mr Amissah-Arthur underscored the need for Muslims to educate their children, noting that education was the best security to guarantee a bright future.

Uphold the peace

With the general election fast approaching, the Vice-President advised Muslims to continue to uphold the peace before, during and after the election.

He also urged the various political parties contesting the elections to conduct their campaigns in a manner devoid of rancour and mudslinging.

Mr Amissah-Arthur assured the people that the government would again ensure that arrangements for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage were as smooth as last year’s.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, had, earlier in his address, called for unity in the region to enable the government to continue its development programme for the people.

He assured the people that every part of the country would receive its fair share of development and urged those who were still expectant of some projects in their area to exercise restraint.

The Central Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Yussif Mohammed Kamajetteh, led the prayers.

The Zongo Chief of Cape Coast, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Dandey, also addressed the gathering.