Zango communities in Ghana could soon receive legal protection against discrimination based on hometown or indigeneity, following government consideration of recommendations from the Constitution Review Committee (CRC).
Chairman of the Muslim Peace and Reconciliation Committee in the Ashanti Region, Sheikh Mohammed Ridwan, has welcomed the government’s proposal to address the issue through a Comprehensive Human Rights Act.
The proposal could provide relief to many Zango residents who struggle to identify an ancestral or indigenous hometown, despite having lived in Ghana for generations.
According to Sheikh Ridwan, the proposed legislation represents an important step towards addressing what he describes as a long-standing injustice.
He says the central demand from affected communities is equal treatment for all Ghanaian citizens, regardless of ancestry, hometown or ethnic background, particularly in accessing public services and obtaining key national documents such as the Ghana Card and passport.
Sheikh Ridwan has expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, Cabinet and members of the Constitution Review Committee for considering the concerns raised through memoranda submitted during the review process.
He is, however, calling for urgent action to translate the proposal into enforceable legislation.
He is also appealing to Parliament to give the eventual Bill prompt and favourable consideration to ensure clear protection against discrimination based on hometown or indigeneity.
The Muslim leader says the legislation would particularly benefit Zango communities across Ghana, including Fulanis, Hausas, Mossis and other groups who have lived in the country for generations and contributed to its development.
“Our demand has always been simple: equal citizenship, equal dignity and equal protection under Ghanaian law. We are not asking for privileges; we are asking for justice and equality,” Sheikh Mohammed Ridwan said.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
