State funeral of Ghana’s first Muslim Second Lady to be held on June 4

The state funeral of the late former Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana Hajia Ramatu Mahama has been scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2022.

The event which will have the President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as its Guest of Honour will be held in Accra.

Hajia Ramatu Mahama who died on April 7, 2022, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness has been buried in accordance with Muslim customs.

The former Second Lady during her tenure championed the course of women in leadership roles and empowered women through various social intervention programmes.

Hajia Ramatu Mahama was the daughter of the late Imoro Egala, a Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Health, first Ghanaian chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board, in the First Republic, and a long-standing political stalwart in Ghana through to the third republic; doubling as a founder of the PNP now PNC.

Besease Zongo accident victims buried

The Ejisu-Besease Zongo community was left in shock when a car drove into residents killing three and leaving others injured last Sunday.

On Monday, May 30 2022, two of the deceased, Hamidu Mohammed, aged 62 and Masawudu Nalko, 40, were buried per Islamic custom. They died shortly after arriving at the Ejisu Government Hospital.

The third victim, Abdul Rahman Mohammed, aged 50, who sustained severe injuries, was transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The two victims who were buried

Arrests made in connection with flogging of Wa leaked video lovers

The Police in the Upper West Region have arrested three persons in connection with the flogging of the lovers who filmed their sexual act.

The lovebirds were consequently tied to a pole at the forecourt of the Wa Naa’s Palace and flogged by some residents, on Tuesday, May 31.

The officers first arrested 32-year-old Bushran Khidiri, a phone repairer. He is alleged to be one of the young men who forced the young lady in the leaked sex video to the Wa Naa’s palace for flogging.

Later, 70-year-old Issahaku Mahama and 62-year-old Naa Sidiki Mahama, a farmer from Wa-Dobile, were arrested.

The duo are alleged to be part of a meeting at the palace that ordered the flogging of the lovers.

Their arrest followed a meeting between Police and some sub-chiefs from the palace.

The lovers were reportedly beaten because they were seen in a video that has gone viral on social media, having sex.

According to the young men, it was wrong for them to have filmed their sexual act.

They were therefore punished for tarnishing the reputation of the town and for engaging in an act that is frowned upon by Islam.

Reports indicate that the duo was arrested by some young men in the town and taken to the Palace. However, upon their arrival at the Palace, the Wa Naa was absent.

The young men, instead of waiting on the Chief, decided to take the matter into their own hands and delivered a punishment they deemed fit.

The two victims were given 20 lashes each.

Meanwhile, the Police are still searching for other culprits in the abuse of the two victims.

Also, Executive Director of Songtaba and Gender Activist, Lamnatu Adam, has condemned the action of the youth as barbaric and unacceptable.

“In this day of our democracy to have people whipped in this manner is a gross disrespect of their human rights. I think we need serious discourse around tradition, religion and the state, to see which of our laws should supersede what.”

“This is because Ghana is not an Islamic state. Although religion, whether Christianity or Islam does not condone or promote sexual misbehaviour. But this kind of treatment is not acceptable whether in Islam or Christianity.”

Source: Myjoyonline

‘Islamic religion does not endorse child abuse, child marriage and other discriminations against children’

Sheikh Ilyas Umar, Director of Hablullah Islamic Institute, has called for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to deal with child marriage in the country.

He said child marriage was having serious repercussions on the economic health and education of children, hence need to nip it in the bud.

He made the call while presenting at this year’s Northern Regional Teens Summit, held in Tamale, to seek the support of various stakeholders in addressing issues affecting the holistic growth and development of young people.

It was organised by Tiyumba Hope Foundation in partnership with Plan Internationa Ghana on the theme: “Reproductive Health: A Measure of Equity and Human Rights.”

It brought together key stakeholders and students at selected Senior High Schools as well as Junior High Schools in the Tamale Metropolis to solicit their support towards enhancing the well-being of young people especially their reproductive health rights among others.

Sheikh Umar said, “Islamic religion does not endorse child abuse, child marriage and other discriminations against children.”

He added: “The enemy of Islam is the ignorant Muslim, who channels falsehood. The Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is noted to have described women as precious as jewel. It tells you the respect and reverence Islam place on women.”

He called for reforms and attitudinal change towards the reproductive and health needs of the youth saying, “Regardless of our religious differences, there is the need for collective efforts that guarantee the rights of women
and children.”

Ms Fadila Fusheni, Executive Director of Tiyumba Hope Foundation said: “Young people need support and opportunities to develop skills that will help them prepare against abuses hence the summit.”

She indicated that when the youth were equipped and empowered, it significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.

She urged traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, and the media to use their platforms to sensitise members of the public against early and forced marriages.

Hajia Alima Sagito Saeed, Executive Director of the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency advised young people to acquire requisite knowledge and information about their reproductive health rights. “Your knowledge about your reproductive health will help you demand appropriate policies and programmes from government and other stakeholders.” she added.

She urged young people to lead the crusade against all forms of violence, abuse, and discrimination against them saying “It is enough to know your reproductive health rights. It is also up to you to take the necessary steps through sensitisation and awareness creation to safeguard it.”

Ms Mohammed Rahama Wunnam, a pupil of Tamale International School commended Tiyumba Hope Foundation and partners for the initiative called on government and other stakeholders to implement policies and programmes that guaranteed their safety.

Source: GNA

Tijjaniya movement cautions against terrorism

The Tijjaniya Muslim Movement of Ghana (TMMG) has exhorted religious leaders to do more to eradicate terrorism groups, urging them to come together to fight and drive out terrorism.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tema, Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, the Movement’s Executive Secretary said religious leaders were important in countering terrorism because of their unique position of authority, credibility, and ties with the community.

He said interfaith groups were required to strengthen the ability of communities to resist forms of extremism by addressing community needs through collaboration, interfaith engagement, and solidarity.

According to him, terrorism was not a battle between different faiths or different sects, but the battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions stressing that “the fight against terrorism is a battle between good and evil.”

Alhaji Osman indicated that fighting terrorism was a collective effort and advised religious leaders to disassociate terrorism from religion emphasizing that “through corrective interpretation of dogma, formal, and informal religious curriculum and preaching, terrorism can be prevented.”

He warned religious leaders that inaction on their part would bring suffering, death, and despair, stressing that “religious leaders must mobilize to take the lead in stamping out radicalization.”

Alhaji Osman acknowledged the fact that society perceived most victims of terrorism as Muslims, however, Islam was one of the world’s most peaceful religions.

He also dismissed Islamists as the foot-soldiers of evil, with no religious legitimacy, effectively putting a distance between Islam and the ideology that fuels terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Al Shabab among others.

Source: GNA

LOC of 2023 Africa Games organises Zongo football gala

All is set for the Zongo Community Games as part of efforts to promote next year’s Africa Games to be held in Ghana.

The organisers of the competition, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2023 Africa Games, have held the draw for the eight teams who have confirmed their participation in the football-only event scheduled for June 11 and 12 at the Madina AstroTurf Park.

To be played in a gala format, the opening games will have Maamobi up against Sukura, Madina will play Newtown, Cowlane will play Fadama with Nima playing Tudu.

After the eliminating rounds on the opening day, the winners will progress to the semi-finals and then the final to be played on day two.

Apart from the prestigious trophy at stake and the bragging rights, the eventual winners will receive a cash prize of GH¢10,000.

In addition, each of the players for the participating teams will receive a special participation allowance.

Explaining the rationale for the Games, the Executive Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu-Asare said it was to recognise the immense contribution people from the Zongo communities play in sports in the country, as well as use it as a platform to conscientize communities about next year’s Games.

“The plan is to move from significant identifiable communities to tell them about the upcoming Games to whip up interest and support.

“Besides, we also know that our brothers and sisters from the Muslim communities play a very dominant role when it comes to sports in the country, thus it is important to get them involved in a way, and there was no better way to do it than bringing them together for a sporting contest,” Dr Ofosu-Asare said.

The LOC has lined up a number of activities intended to court support and promote the Games.

As part of that plan, the LOC has already paid courtesy calls on leaders including the Chief Imam and some business organisations.

There is also a plan to have roadshows with the Mascot for the Games, Okoree.

Source: Graphic