The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: The Ghana Muslim Mission (GMM) has dedicated its 64th annual national conference to the promotion of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Muslim communities.

The conference will be held at the GMM headquarters in Accra from November 7 to November 10, on the theme “STEM and TVET education in Muslim communities in Ghana for national development.” 

Speaking at the launch of the conference, Sheikh Dr. Amin Bonsu, National Chairman, GMM, said TVET and STEM education were needed to address the disconnect between academia and the demand of industries.

He disclosed that there would be a fund-raising event at this year’s conference for the reconstruction of the Hijaz Islamic Basic School into an ultramodern TVET and STEM educational institution. 

He said the Hijaz Islamic School, built 57 years ago, needed to be uplifted into a modern structure that could address the educational needs of the current times and create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

He called on the government, corporate entities, and individuals to support the mission in its quest to renovate the school.

“The Ghana Muslim Mission is a non-sectarian, non-governmental, non-ethnic, progressive Muslim group who have come together to learn and propagate Islam while working at developing the Muslim community; hence, all Muslims are invited to join for the sake of Allah.”

Sheikh Bonsu said attending the conference was firstly an act of worship that affords Muslims the opportunity to come together to learn and propagate Islam.

“Coming together during this period would also help Muslims to fraternise and know more about each other, love each other, and help us take stock of what we have done and what we have to do for the progress of our community and the country of Ghana at large.” 

Mr. Mohammed Doku, National Organiser, GMM, said the Mission had the firm belief that education was key in the development of a responsible society and so over the years had invested in the educational sector of the country. 

“Currently, the Mission has over 165 educational institutions, from basic to senior high and to the tertiary level. And we are still yearning to do more for Mother Ghana,”  he added. 

He said the renovation and reconstruction of the school needed everybody’s support, especially the Muslim community, saying this would help in the development of the younger generation of Muslims who would benefit from it in the near future to change the status quo.