THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to operate from the international conference center as parts of government’s interim measure to revive activities following last week’s fire outbreak that raised down the 10-storey building housing the ministry.
The sector minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni disclosed this to the Daily Graphic at the outdooring ceremony of the Tema Metropolitan Chief Imam Alhaji-Salley Iddrisu Sika and his deputy Alhaji Adam Abubakari in Tema.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Tema Metro Islamic Development Fund which is aimed towards the mobilization of resources for economic and infrastructure development in Muslim communities within the metropolis.
Alhaji Mumuni noted government as a matter of urgency has adopted a three tier approach which would see the construction of a modern office complex at the former students hostel premises which was reclaimed by government to house the ministry in its long term programme whilst feverish arrangements would be made within the next two weeks to secure a permanent office structure to accommodate staffs.
The minister commended the Muslim community in the Tema metropolis for a peaceful transition of leadership following the death of the late chief imam, Alhaji Abdul Samad two months ago.
He indicated the concept of globalization which comes with modern development has caught up with the world, hence the need to live in peaceful co-existence as parts of efforts being made towards instigating our economy into the new globalised society.
He challenged Muslims to seek knowledge in order to interprete themselves better to the world while they make strives towards investing in their children’s education as education is the “key to a nation’s development”. He remarked.
He commended the incoming chief Imam for the launch of a development fund which would go into facilitating development of Muslim children as well as Muslim communities and urge all to contribute towards sustaining the fund.
The new chief imam, Ahaji Salley Iddrisu Sika in his address noted the underdevelopment of Muslim communities was due to the low level of education of residents, hence the need to develop approaches aimed at complementing the efforts of the National Chief Imam to improve the situation.
He said an advisory board would be put in place in all mosques within the metropolis to plan activities that would facilitate the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
Imam Iddrisu-Sika challenged endowed Muslims to support the less privileged, the aged and widows in Muslim communities.
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II who administered the oath of office challenged the chief Imam to uphold the virtues of Islam, pointing out that the absence of peace retard development in the communities.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Kempes Ofosuware commended the new chief Imam for playing a major role in the smooth transition.
Ahaji Iddrisu-Sika was born in Accra on the 22nd September 1929. He had his elementary school at the Accra High elementary school and later proceeded to Accra High School between 1940-1948 for his secondary education.
He later trained as a librarian and served as an assistant librarian at the famous Balm Library of the University of Ghana and subsequently, at the Akuafo Hall of the same university.
Later, he joined the Kaiser engineers as a general foreman during the construction of the Akosombo Dam, the Volta Aluminum Company as well as government silos at the cocoa processing company.
The Deputy Minister of Water Resource, Works and Housing, Alhaji Saani Iddi who launched the fund donated an amount of GH¢100 as seed money for the fund.
Alhaji Mumuni who pledged GH¢1000 as the President’s personal donation also donated an undisclosed amount towards the fund.
The Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi, former Greater Accra Regional Minister Sheik I.C Quaye, Numo Addison Adinortey, municipal chief executive of Ashaiman and a member of the council of state Hajia Hajara Ali were among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.
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