The Eminent National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu,
2nd Lady,
Members of Council of State,
Ministers of State,
Members of Parliament,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ulamas and Zongo Chiefs,
Fellow Muslims,
As salam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.
We give thanks to the Almighty Allah for granting us this blessed day after seeing us through another successful month-long Ramadan fast.
The past one month has been a fulfilling period of sacrifice and devotion, and if we have witnessed the end of it and we have gathered here and other places across the country, it is by the sheer grace of Allah, for which we have to be gracious.
Fellow Muslims, many of our loved ones fasted with us last year, and were with us during the celebration of Eid together. But today, a number of them are no more with us, following their departure to the hereafter.
On this blessed day of Eid, we remember them, and we pray to the Almighty Allah to continue to extend His infinite mercy on their souls, and grant them Jannatul Firdaus.
The celebration of the Eid, is a significant moment for all Muslims, as it brings the Ummah out together, in our numbers, regardless of social status, to pray, rejoice and glorify Allah.
It is the reason we are all excited that Eid prayers are being observed throughout the country without covid-19 restrictions for the first time in two years.
In the past two years, all of us, as a people and as a nation, had to adjust our normal way of life and embrace new restrictions imposed by the government, as we battled together to overcome the devastating effects of Covid-19, which was sweeping through nations and causing devastating havoc.
As part of the two-year restrictions, Hajj was cancelled, we observed Ramadan indoors, and we had to even perform eid prayers virtually with smaller groups. The usual fanfare was missing as we collectively obeyed the restrictions.
Today, we are out in our numbers throughout the country observing Eid without nose masks, and our Christian brothers also converge at full capacity for service without nose masks. Other aspects of social and economic life in the country, including our land boarders, which had been closed for two years, are back to normal.
My brothers and sisters, this exciting development is another special grace from God, which we have to be very thankful for as a nation.
When covid-19 hit us, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, committed the nation into the hands of God by asking for special prayers from our faith-based leaders, as the government took a series of decisive steps to manage the pandemic and save lives of citizens.
Today, by the grace of Allah Ghana’s covid-19 situation is remarkably one of the lowest in the world, and our entire management of the pandemic has been globally acclaimed as one of the best.
The effects of the pandemic, which ravaged global economy did not spare ours. Businesses suffered, private jobs were lost, government lost huge revenues and also spent massively to ameliorate the plight of Ghanaians. In effect, the pandemic severely drew the economy back from the massive progress the government had achieved between 2017 and 2019.
This setback, without doubt, made life more difficult for citizens and government, as prices of goods soared across the world due to the abnormal increase of the cost of international freight. As if that was not enough, another setback, in the form of the sudden global effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, hit us at the beginning of this year when our economy showed clear signs of bouncing back from the shackles of covid-19.
This new, unexpected global crisis has further hit global economies with prices of oil and commodities going up sharply. Again, Ghana has not been spared.
In spite of the unexpected destructive global factors which have severely hit our economy in the past two years, our government has not reneged on its development commitments to the people of Ghana in the area of education, healthcare and infrastructure development, etc.
In education, we have continuously strengthened our flagship education for all policy, Free SHS, and we have not reneged on other pro poor interventions we introduced, such as feeding our children at the basic level, and also paying for their BECE and WASSCEE fees. We have also introduced free TVET to enhance technical education.
In health, government continues to show strong commitment towards the NHIS with payments, and we have recruited thousands of health workers since the pandemic, contrary to the disturbing situation in the past where health workers were left for almost three years without being employed. Again in health, our hospitals for all districts, also known as Agenda 111 initiative is on-going.
In the youth development and employment, the government ensured that no public sector job was lost, or salary cut implemented during the covid-19 pandemic, unlike many other countries where public sector workers were laid off, or their salaries reduced. Also, we have invested massively in entrepreneurial development and support to the youth in a bid to help create sustainable opportunities for our teeming youth.
In the area of infrastructure, projects we have earmarked are continuing and we continue to commission these projects regularly as and when they are completed. An example was the recent commissioning of the Tamale interchange, which is the first-ever interchange in norther Ghana. Road construction works including highways, inner city roads and feeder roads are also visibly going on across the country.
We have also kept our commitment towards the inclusive development of Zongo communities through the Zongo Development Fund, in the areas of infrastructure support such as access roads, bridges, schools, healthcare, drainage and water systems, astro turfs, educational scholarships as well as entrepreneurial training and support. Recently, the ZDF has completed about 200 projects, and many of them have been commissioned a number of projects and many others will soon be commissioned.
Generally, ladies and gentlemen, we have showed that we understand and feel the plight of Ghanaians, and we have not turned our back to the people in the midst of crises. We showed it during the banking crisis by paying almost GHc 25 billion to rescue the deposits of Ghanaians. We showed it during the covid-19 crisis with our water, electricity and business support interventions to households, businesses, traders and entrepreneurs.
As the government continues to demonstrate strong commitments towards meeting the needs and aspirations of Ghanaians, let me acknowledge the supporting interventions and initiatives of our faith-based organisations.
I have been impressed by how both Muslim and Christian groups continue to complement government’s development efforts, especially at a time when government is under so much pressure. Notably, the Churches, and the Ahmadiyya Mission, have long been known to have played leading roles in education and the provision of quality healthcare. In recent times, the Tijaaniya Movement and also Ghana Muslim Mission have also built a number of schools in its educational drive. A few months ago, I commissioned an ultramodern Islamic Nursing Training College here in Accra, which was funded by the Ahlusunnah Group.
There has been a remarkable shift to production and other interventions by our faith-based groups to help create sustainable jobs and also ti help the poor. Just last week, I cut the sod for over 800-acres rubber plantation in Assin by the Anglican Diocese of Accra.
Before that, the Pentecost Church had initiated a 10-acre Irrigation Farm Project. In 2020, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana endorsed Government’s agricultural flagship program, “Planting for Food and Jobs”.
These are all positive steps, which must be encouraged, as they will create opportunities for the youth. While the various Muslim groups are showing great initiatives in education and healthcare training, I want to urge them to consider venturing into other areas such as agriculture and small-scale production, to start with, to support the youth.
Our faith-based groups have demonstrated over the years that with a unity of purpose, they can contribute significantly towards sustainable development of our country.
Already, Ghana is globally acclaimed as a very peaceful country. And we have attained enviable positions on the global peace index as the most peaceful country in West Africa and second most peaceful country in Africa. It is because of the tolerance, cooperation and mutual respect between Muslims and Christians across the country.
Elsewhere, faith-based groups are at each others’ throats and are destructive elements to the peace of their communities. Here in Ghana, we are blessed with tolerant and progressive religious leadership and groups, which are contributing meaningfully to national development.
Let us continue to strengthen our ties, regardless of our different religious identity so that we can continue to positively influence our communities and the nation.
My brothers and sisters, as we converge at various Eid grounds and reunite with our families, friends and loved ones, let us savour the moment, but in moderation, especially on our various streets.
Beyond the Eid, let us uphold the great Islamic values of selflessness, generosity and compassion we showed towards humanity during the month of Ramadan.
Let us continue to be each others’ keeper, love one another and be tolerant of each other regardless of religious and political affiliation.
May the Almighty Allah accept our sacrifice and supplications. And may He bless our dear nation Ghana.
Barka mu da sallah Jama’aa.
Allah ya maimai taa mana!
Allah ya kai mu sabon shekara!
Wa salam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh
