'MAKE PRINCIPLES OF DESCIPLINE PRIORITY' DAILY GRAPHIC, SAT JAN 30, 10 (PAGE 19)

THE National Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu has challenged the country’s leaders to make the principles of discipline among their followers a priority.He indicated indiscipline over the years has led the country on the threshold of underdevelopment, a situation he described as having a serious implications on the nation’s quest to attain its set millennium development goals. Sheik Sharabutu speaking through an interpreter made the appeal in Ashaiman where he outdoored the newly elected Fulani chief, Alhaji Issah Barry for the alien herdsmen community in the Ashaiman municipality.He regretted the failed Christmas day bomb attack by the 23year old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who has been described as a devout Muslim goes to portray the Islamic religion as a violent one, and challenged the youth in Muslim dominated communities to be guarded by the virtues and principles of peace which are the core values of the religion.Minister of State at the presidency and Member of Parliament for Kpone-katamanso, Nii Laryea Afortey Agbo challenged the electorate to be bold enough to demand accountability from office holders they elect to manage the nation’s resources on their behalf.In his words, Nii Laryea said, “nobody sits an exams to become a Politian, rather people cue to cast their votes to elect them, hence the need to put the people’s interest first’. He pledged his commitment to institute a scholarship scheme to cater for needy but brilliant children who are out on the streets owing to excessive poverty that has held back their kept them from the walls of the classroom, and challenged the people to make education of their children a major priority. Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi charged the new leader to make discipline his top most concern, as the canker within their domain was retrogressing the community’s development.Mr Agbesi also express regret at the recent decongestion exercise embarked upon by the municipal assembly that has witnessed various military brutalities meted out hawkers and charged the assembly to revise the exercised aimed towards restoring sanity to the municipality.The new chief, Alhaji Issah Barry in his address regretted the low level of education in Muslim communities was a considerable factor to underdevelopment of these dwellings, and pledged his commitment to help address develop approaches that would go into changing the trend.The 71year old businessman, express profound appreciation to the Fulani community for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to put interventions aimed at improving the lives of the people. The District Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Kobina, regretted the practice shielding criminals in the community by opinion leaders and politicians is one major factor that has impacted negatively on policing in the municipality and challenged residents to continually support the police towards making the community safe for their dwelling. He also charged the new leader to institute an alternative means of settling disputes among his subjects as not all matters arising out of petty arguments can be treated as a police related issues.Member of Council of State, Hajia Hajara Ali, as well as the ambassadors of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali were some dignitaries that graced the ceremony.