The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: The National Muslim Conference of Ghana (NMCG) has vowed to hold the presidential candidates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) accountable for campaign promises made to the Muslim community.

The official mouthpiece of the Muslim community in Ghana advised the presidential candidates, when elected, to not take the over 6 million muslim population with over 4 million voters for granted.

It urged politicians and government to ensure that Muslims are duly consulted on policy decisions that affected their livelihoods.

“We are awake. We want to be involved in policy decisions. All the things you promised us, if God says you shall be our president, we will want you to do it with us, not for us.” said Inusah Mohammed, the General Secretary of the NMCG.

He made the remarks at the fourth National Muslim Conference that was attended by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP and John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, respectively. 

The theme for the event held over the weekend at the Kanda National Mosque was “Towards Bridging the Gaps in National Healthcare Delivery in Ghana: The Role of the NMCG.”

Highlighting the contributions of the NMCG over the past three years, the management member disclosed that through collaborations with experts, they have developed strategy documents on education, law, and economic empowerment.

“Over the past two days, we have spent time trying to develop the Ghana Muslim health strategy,” he said.

The former president, John Mahama, during his remarks at the closing ceremony promised to, among other things, establish a permanent hajj transit camp in Accra and Tamale for Ghanaian pilgrims and support the active inclusion of imams and chiefs on boards of corporations and district assemblies.

He also pledged to review the Muslim Marriage Ordinance of 1951, Cap. 129, and streamline the legal framework for the recognition and certification of Muslim marriages in Ghana.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his part in the opening ceremony, promised to roll out a policy of classifying faith-based groups as development partners of government in order to incentivise them and grant tax exemptions on certain important materials for developmental purposes.

NMCG was the outcome of efforts to end discrimination and neglect against Muslims in the country.

The formation was led by the Muslim leadership headed by the national Chief Imam in collaboration with the Muslim caucus of parliament.

Establish in 2021, the conference sought to bring together stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting Muslims and also serve as the official mouthpiece of Muslims in dealing with government.