The National Muslim Conference of Ghana led by the National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has presented a 14-point ‘Muslim Manifesto’ to the leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
At a meeting attended by the leader and flag bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, national executives of the party and some members of Parliament, the National Muslim Conference outlined some of the proposals in their Manifesto, which includes a request for the construction of STEM and TVET schools in all Zongo communities in the sixteen administrative regions of the country.
The Conference believes the issues raised in their Manifesto will best suit the interest of the Muslim communities if implemented.
Meanwhile, John Dramani Mahama, in his address, highlighted the importance of the document, reemphasising the significance of the NDC’s People’s Manifesto where the Muslim Manifesto perfectly fits.
He explained the relevance of getting the people’s inputs into drafting a manifesto, indicating that the approach which begun in 2020 gave the NDC a good manifesto but needs to be updated to meet the current needs of the people, the reason the party is embarking on the ‘Building Ghana Tour’ to still solicit for ideas.
John Mahama noted that even though some of the issues raised in the Muslim Manifesto have already been captured from some Muslim communities during their tour, it was timelier the document was presented since some of the concerns have not yet been captured.
“…and so, we came out with the People’s Manifesto and it reflected the will of the people of Ghana because we consulted them. Unfortunately, we didn’t win political power so another election is before us –2024. I believe that the 2020 Manifesto was a good one but we need to validate it and update it.
“So, we’ve been doing the Building Ghana tour, we’ve recorded everything that people have said. Amongst the groups that we have met were Muslim groups that have raised some of the same points that you have included in this manifesto. There are other things too that have not yet been captured in our tour but that you have raised in this manifesto so I think that it couldn’t have been more timely,” John Mahama noted.
By Felix Anim-Appau with additional files from Komla Klutse
