Sefwi-Wiawso (WN/R), June 16, GNA – A 69-year-old Alhaji Ahmed Adam has been coronated as the first Chief Imam in the Western North Region.
Alhaji Adam was presented with a certificate of authority in a colorful ceremony held at Sefwi -Wiawso which was attended by people from all occupations.
The National Chief Imam in a speech read on his behalf by Alhaji Bio Salisu, National Executive Secretary reminded the new Regional Chief Imam of his enormous responsibilities associated with the regional leadership of the Islamic Ummah which he said was key among his responsibilities to help ensure peaceful order in his area of authority.
“His Eminence chief imam expects you to use your sermons to send a strong message to the Muslim youth to desist from political vigilantism and other forms of violence since that is inhuman, unpatriotic and un-Islamic for the youth to reduce themselves to apparatus of village for any politician or political party”.
The National Chief imam, encouraged Muslim youth to continuously seek knowledge instead of engaging in political vigilantism and partisan extremism, stressing that the knowledge acquired would boost their sense of patriotism and enhance their spiritual wellbeing in the supreme interests of national development.
Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Member of Parliament for Wiawso Constituency who graced the occasion expressed gratitude to the National Chief Imam for considering the Western North Region and blessing the Region with a Chief Imam.
He called on the new Regional Chief Imam to emulate the charitable deeds of the National Chief Imam who had been a national asset and a blessing to the nation.
He lauded the government for the numerous infrastructural projects in the Region, some of which included the biggest TVET school and mentioned that a University for the Western North Region was in the offing.
He pledged to work with and offer continuous support to the Regional Chief Imam to ensure that there was peace all the time in the area.
Later in an interview with the Ghana News Agency GNA), Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Former Member of Parliament for Wiawso admonished traditional, political as well as religious leaders not to use their positions to intimidate others since that would not foster national development.
The Western North Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr John Koah, a Government Spokesperson advised the youth to unite and build understanding, reduce misconceptions, and develop healthy lifestyle through social activities, exposure visits, interfaith dialogue and sporting activities that would promote peaceful co-existence and build relationships in their various communities.
He said the induction and presentation of a certificate of Authority to the Western North Regional Chief Imam was an honour to the Region, adding that it would help empower the Regional Chief Imam to be effective in communicating and making decisions.
For his part, Mr Louis Owusu-Agyapong, Wiawso Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) acknowledged the demanding work of Alhaji Ahmed Adam within various communities in the area and was not surprised of his elevation and pledged that the assembly would support him.
The new Regional Chief Imam thanked the national Chief Imam for the honour and confidence reposed in him and promised to ensure peace in the Region.
GNA