An estimated figure of over 300 children have become orphans over the persistent Bawku protracted chieftaincy conflict who need some form of social protection and education.

Hon. Stephen Yakubu, the outgoing Upper East Regional Minister, said this when he addressed a Muslim congregation at this year’s Eid-dul Fitr prayer in Bolgatanga.

He said the conflict had escalated to other parts of the Region including Bolgatanga and Binduri, and used the occasion to request prayers to address the conflict situation in Bawku.

He expressed concern that some Muslims did not live to observe this year’s celebration and further called for prayers for the departed souls.

“I am aware the Holy Quran frowns upon and condemns murder when it stated that When you kill a life is like you have killed the whole mankind and when you save a life is like you have saved a life of all mankind, so why then do we do this to ourselves as Muslims,” he quizzed.

The outgoing Minister said as part of measures to minimize the conflict situation in the area, some radio stations were shut down and urged Muslims communities in the region to be vigilant about the threat of violent extremism from the Sahel Region using Islam as a decoy.

“Let us endeavour to support the fight against terrorism by volunteering information about the hideouts of these terrorists and giving same to the security agencies as the slogan says; See Something, Say Something,” he told the congregation.

The Minister for the first time publicly informed the general public that His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had re-assigned him to the Upper West Region, while his colleague Minister in that Region would assume duty as the Upper East Regional Minister.

He, therefore, appealed to residents to collaborate and cooperate with the new Minister to enable him prosecute government’s agenda of creating jobs and prosperity for the Upper East Region.

Source – RCC Upper East

The Upper East Regional Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Quaye had admonished muslims in the region to use this period of Eid’ul Fitr celebration to fervently pray for Ghana’s continuos peace and social cohesion as Ghanaians prepare for another general election to choose a leader for the country. This according to him requires a lot of spiritual interventions and prayers adding it was another trial from the Almighty God as believers.

Maulvi Quaye made the call on Thursday April 11, 2024 at this year’s Eid’ul Fitr prayers at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium.

He asserted that fasting during the month of Ramadhan requires and inspires sympathy for the hungry and the needy as such encouraged muslims to donate generously to the less privileged in society.

He admonished muslims to continue the goodness of Ramadhan for the rest of the year urging that they should establish the standards of worship as commanded by Allah and prescribed by their Promised Messiah, stating that fulfilling the rights of Allah could only be accomplished by fulfilling the rights of humanity as instructed by Allah adding that a society where rights of everyone were properly observed becomes a heaven and true happiness for all residents.

Maulvi Quaye charged muslims to be dutiful to their parents as commanded by Allah in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Verse 25 after observing all the commandments of Allah. He said one could take very good care of his or her parents by protecting them, clothing them, feeding them, provision of shelter and praying for God to nourish them as they nourished one when he or she was young and could not do any of these.

The Ahmadi leader encouraged muslims to make enough provision for orphans in the society quoting Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in a Hadith to have said “One who wish for a soft heart should continuosly wipe the head of an orphan by his hands”.

Encouraging muslims to continue acts of righteousness beyond Ramadhan, he quoted Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) in another Hadith to have said “One who proceeds to fast additional 6 days after the month of Ramadhan, the reward equals one who would have fasted for a whole year”.

On the sidelines of this occasion, the Upper East Regional minister Mr. Stephen Yakubu called on all muslims to pray for the restoration of total peace in Bawku lamenting that the re-emergence of the Bawku conflict since November 2021 resulted in the death of over 200 parents leaving behind about 300 orphans calling for welfare support.

The regional minister who officially announced his re-assignment to the Upper West Region said these in a speech read on his behalf by the District Chief Executive for the Bolgatanga East Mr.Agana Albert Akugre after the observation of this year’s Eid’ul Fitr by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the Bolgatanga sports stadium yesterday.

On the issue of the fight against terrorism he said the threats were becoming pronounced and called for concerted efforts and prayers from all stakeholders for that matter muslim leadership to be able to fight it. He charged residents of the region to volunteer information about strange elements in their communities to the security to enhance the fight against terrorism.

Special prayers were said for the President, Vice President, ministers of state, MPs, MMDCEs and Assembly Members for Allah’s guidance, wisdom and protection for them.

Source – gbcuraonline.com