By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), March 22, GNA – Alhaji Osman Mahama Kanihi, the Upper West Regional (UWR) Chief Imam, has called for an inclusive environment in schools to ensure that Muslim students freely practice their faith without compulsion, particularly in Christian mission institutions.
He said allowing Muslim students to organise themselves separately under strict supervision to undertake Islamic religious activities would demonstrate true interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance in schools.
The Regional Chief Imam made the call in Wa at the weekend in a speech on his behalf during the Ramadan prayer, held at the Jubilee Park to mark the end of the Islamic fasting season.
The prayer was led by Sheikh Abdul Karim Mankama Ibrahim, the Deputy Regional Chief Imam, at the Wa Central Mosque, which saw scores of Muslims observing the sacred activity.
Alhaji Kanihi said: ”Muslim students in Christian schools should be given the opportunity to group separately under the strict control of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) patrons in the schools to conduct Islamic religious activities freely within the same framework as church services.
“They should not be compelled by necessity and by the school authorities to observe mandatory church services on Sundays or any other days fixed for Christian devotion.”
On education, the Upper Regional Chief Imam expressed concern about the “mediocre performance” of candidates in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), particularly in Core Mathematics.
Alhaji Kanihi, therefore, urged the Ghana Education Service and the West African Examinations Council to study the Chief Examiner’s report and implement measures to address the causes of the poor performance.
He also expressed concern about the menace of drug abuse among the youth and said it required a coordinated response from the appropriate stakeholders, including parents, religious and traditional leaders, to safeguard the future of the youth.
In a speech read on his behalf, Most Reverend Francis Bomansaan, the Catholic Bishop of Wa, underscored the importance of interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence in promoting community and development.
He noted that the coincidence of observing Ramadan and Lent within the same period offered a unique opportunity for Muslims and Christians to deepen mutual understanding through shared values of prayer, fasting and charity.
Most Rev. Bomansaan stressed inter-religious dialogue as a critical tool for conflict resolution and nation-building, which must be cherished.
Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, encouraged Muslims to sustain the lessons from Ramadan, including patience, sacrifice, compassion, generosity and self-discipline, beyond the fasting period.
He said: “Ramadan teaches us that society flourishes when its people live with integrity, compassion, and responsibility towards one another.
“If we truly carry the spirit of Ramadan into our daily lives, our communities will become stronger, our families more united, and our region more prosperous.”
The Minister reiterated also the need for concerted efforts to address the menace of drug abuse among young people in the region, which was a threat not only to the perpetrators but also to the prospects of the region.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah