Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, has handed over the reconstructed Kumasi Central
Mosque to the Mosque’s committee following its inauguration on Friday.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu
Sharubutu, and a host of distinguished dignitaries, including Ministers, MPs, Members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Regional Imams, Zongo Chiefs, and top Muslim and Christian clerics,
attended the commissioning ceremony.
The Muslim community from the Ashanti Region and beyond turned out in force to thank Dr.
Mahamudu Bawumia for what has been described as a remarkable gesture of providing a
breathtaking piece of architecture.
Before Jummah prayers, the Vice President and the Asantehene gave the mosque its official
commission. The 7,000-seat mosque was quickly full with people worshipping outdoors after it was made accessible to the public.
Some of the ecstatic visitors could be seen crying with joy as they marvelled at the mosque’s
incredible beauty as they entered.
Addressing at the event, Vice President Bawumia said he undertook the project “to the glory of Allah” and thanked God for providing him the fortitude and determination to be able to do it on his own.
“I am really grateful to the Almighty Allah for giving me the vision, guidance and commitment
to be able to undertake this massive project. I was touched by the Almighty Allah when I visited the mosque in 2020 and realised that it needed urgent attention.”
Being one of the nation’s oldest mosques, the Kumasi Central Mosque embodies the aspirations of “our forebears,” according to Dr. Bawumia, who also expressed his joy at the mosque’s renovation into a contemporary structure appropriate for Kumasi’s reputation as a recognised city.
In addition to praising Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh II for his assistance in helping the Muslim community build the first Kumasi Central Mosque, Vice President Bawumia also praised the Manhyia Palace and Asanteman for their peaceful coexistence and cooperation with the Muslim community. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Kumasi Central Mosque’s founding fathers.
“As history beautifully captures, the Manhyia Palace played an instrumental role in the first
Kumasi Central Mosque during the reign of Asantehene Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh II,”
Dr. Bawumia said.”
“This clearly underlines how long-standing the relationship between Asanteman and the Muslim community has been, and the extent of support and cooperation, the Manhyia Palace in particular
has offered.”
“The Asante Kingdom, predating the days of Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh, is documented
to have cooperated with Muslims within the Kingdom. This beautiful tradition has also continued under successive Asantehenes”
“The presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II today, signifies the premium the Asantehene and the
Asante Kingdom place on the historic relationship.”
He urged for even more tolerance and collaboration between Muslims and their neighbours who practise the Christian faith, while also urging Muslims to keep using the mosque as a gathering place for both prayers and community integration.
“This is our beautiful Ghana, where we tolerate, respect and support each other as one people.
God has blessed our country with peace and unity amongst us, so let us be grateful to him. Let us also continue to uphold the religious tolerance we show, which has endeared our country.” Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the Asantehene, praised Dr. Bawumia for the gift he has given to all Asantemen as well as the Muslim community.
Dr. Bawumia has acted responsibly as a son, and as a parent, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said that he
cannot express his gratitude to him enough.
He appealed to the Zongo Community to maintain the mosque’s upkeep and to take proper care of it.
The Kumasi Central Mosque Committee, who are in charge of caring for the mosque, also
wanted to thank Dr. Bawumia deeply for his admirable deed.
