The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Hajia Safuratu Muhammad Andani, an environmental engineer and a director at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), has been appointed as the National Ameera (President) of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Ghana (FOMWAG).

She takes over from Hajia Hajara Telley, who has been steering the affairs of the Muslim Women Organisation for the past 8 years.

Hajia Andani was duly sworn into office together with some 18 new executive members on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at a workshop to climax the Young FOMWAG 25th Anniversary celebration in Accra.

Some members of the FOMWAG executive committee included Hajia Ayisha Frimpong, an educationist, as the First National Vice President; Hajia Hajara Shardow, a chartered accountant, as the Second National Vice President; Mariama Seidu Yakubu, a computer engineer, as the National Secretary; and Kabirat Ahmed Salihs, an educationist, as the First Deputy National Secretary.

Others are Zulaiha Abubakar, a marketer, as the Second Deputy National Secretary; Hajia Rahman Pelpuo, a legal practitioner, as the National Legal Officer; Ummu Zakari, a legal practitioner, as the Deputy Legal Secretary; Iklimatu Ayikai Otoo, a post coordinator, as the National Treasurer; and Huraira Abdul Razak Sika, an entrepreneur, as the Deputy National Treasurer.

Remaining are Hajia Hafsa Obeng, a journalist, as the National Public Relations Officer (PRO); Hajia Hajara A. Issaka, a retired SSNIT staff member, as the First National Vice PRO; Hajia Memuna Issaka, a marriage counsellor, as the National Dawah Officer; Hajia Ayishetu Osman, a daaeya (preacher), as the First Deputy National Da’wah Officer; and Hajia Hawa Mohammed, a daaeya, as the Second Deputy National Da’wah Officer.

Ex-officio members include Hajara Abubakar Mohammed Rufai, a commission member of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE); Hajia Adiza Baba Issah, Deputy Director of Muslim Family Counselling Services; and Hajia Azara Abukari-Haroun, a board member of the Ghana Hajj Board and the Zakat and Sadaqat Trust Fund.

In an interview, the National Ameera, Hajia Safuratu, commended the past executive for their contribution and said she looked forward to working with members across the country to renew their commitments in terms of dues payment to the organisation.

Moreover, she said, the new executive would prioritise reaching out and bringing other Muslim women organisations under the umbrella of FOMWAG with the aim of coordinating the efforts of Muslim women and speaking with a unified voice on pertinent issues affecting them.

Other projects to be championed included the raising of funds to complete the $5 million educational complex project.

Dr. Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah, a member of the FOMWAG Board of Trustees, said she was delighted with the calibre of personnel that make up the new executive.

“In the new FOMWAG, we are having women who are skilled and professional, and so that is why I am happy. It means that we will do things more professionally this time around,” she said.