HELP CHANGE NEGATIVE PERCEPTION OF ZONGOS (PAGE 16)

THE Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has expressed concern over the negative perception that people in the zongo communities are violent.
He said the situation had caused some influential persons in society, particularly politicians, to use the youth from the zongo communities for violent acts.
“It is time we collectively and individually stood up against this practice by creating awareness that Islamic religion stands for peace and development and not violence,” he told the Council of Muslim Chiefs when they paid a courtesy call on him at his office at Koforidua yesterday.
The Eastern Regional Traditional Muslim Council was there to congratulate Mr Ampofo on his appointment as the new Eastern Regional minister.
Mr Ampofo called on them to encourage Muslim parents and guardians to enroll their children in secular educational institution, in addition to Islamic religious schools since it would enable them to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to occupy responsible positions in society in the future.
“There are many positive things we can as elders of our communities do by enrolling our children in schools to give a new image about zongo communities,” Mr Ampofo said.
The regional minister said since education remained the only tool to change the status quo of Muslim communities across the country, Muslim traditional leaders must help with efforts to give the education of the youth a priority.
This, he contended, could be achieved if parents and guardians were encouraged to consider the education of their children and wards a worthwhile investment.
“We as opinion leaders have lived our lives and it is time we took a critical look into the future of our children as part of efforts to eradicate ignorance and poverty from our communities,” Mr Ampofo stressed.
As part of moves to change such negative perception associated with zongo communities, Mr Ampofo suggested to the council to organise durbars to educate the public on the good aspect of the Islamic religion.
This, he pointed out, would enable the public to understand and appreciate the good virtues of the Islamic religion.
The Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Yussif Amdani Sulleyman, prayed for the minister and urged him to be guided by principles and remain objective in the execution of his duties to enable him enjoy a successful tenure of office.