Thousands of Orthodox Muslims gathered at the Naa Sidik Bomi Park, popularly known as the Jubilee Park, in Wa after concluding their 30 days of Ramadan fasting with Eid al-Fitr prayers on Saturday, March 21.
The solemn occasion, led by the Deputy Jamii Imam (Imaam of the Wa Central Mosque), Alhaji Abdul Kareem Mankama Ibrahim, was marked by strong calls from religious and political leaders to address the growing menace of youth drug abuse, declining educational standards, and the need for peaceful interfaith coexistence.
Administrative Assistant at the office of the regional chief Imam, Alhaji Baba Daud, delivering a message on behalf of the Upper West Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Mahama Kanihi, raised an alarm over the declining academic performance in the region.
He specifically pointed to the historic decline in the 2025 WASSCE, where over 50 per cent of candidates failed to meet the pass mark for tertiary admission in core mathematics, and called for urgent solutions from education stakeholders.
Alhaji Kanihi also used the platform to advocate for educational equity and religious freedom. He called on the government to ensure that new STEM and TVET schools are situated in locations accessible to Muslim communities.
Furthermore, he urged the Ghana Education Service to formally recruit qualified Arabic teachers and stressed that Muslim students should have the freedom to practise their faith without being forced to observe mandatory Sunday church services in schools.
Addressing the region’s security and social challenges, the Chief Imam’s representative did not mince words regarding the influx of illicit drugs, directly calling on the police to aggressively expose and arrest drug lords operating within the communities.
This concern was strongly echoed by the Upper West Regional Minister Charles Luanga.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister warned that the rising abuse of drugs, specifically Tramadol and other illicit substances, is destroying the youth and undermining the future development of the society.
He challenged parents, teachers, and religious leaders to collaborate in guiding the younger generation both morally and spiritually.
Mr Luanga also highlighted ongoing government interventions aimed at creating opportunities and improving livelihoods.
He assured the residents of the government’s dedication to the “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, confirming that contractors are already mobilised for major road networks.
He specifically mentioned the asphalting of the Wa-Hein-Tumu-Navrongo stretch, a development that the Chief Imam’s office also expressed gratitude for. Additionally, the Minister announced the pursuit of 11 modern, 24-hour economy markets across the district assemblies to stimulate local trade and create jobs.
In a powerful show of interfaith solidarity, Rev. Father Alocios Nuolabong, representing the Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, delivered a message of peace and unity. He urged Muslims and Christians to focus on their shared values rather than allowing their differences to divide them.
Rev. Nuolabong affirmed the Catholic Church’s readiness to partner with the Muslim Ummah to combat shared societal challenges, most notably uniting forces to fight the youth drug epidemic.
The event concluded with leaders unanimously expressing gratitude for the peaceful coexistence in the region, praying for sustained stability, national growth, and the continued prosperity of Ghana.
At the Dzudayiri cluster of basic schools’ gardens, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the Wa municipality of the Upper West region converge at the Jujeidayiri Gardens to observe this year’s Eid celebration.
The old and the young, including persons with mobility challenges, the majority gorgeously dressed in white apparel, thronged to the gardens for the two Rakat open prayers led by the Upper West Regional missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim mission, Maulvi Hafiz Abdul Nasir Bathi.
In attendance were former Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih; former Ghana Ambassador to Mali, Alhaji Mahmud Khalid; former Council of State member and paramount chief of the Guli traditional area, Naa Seidu Braimah Nubalanaa; and a host of the leaders of the rank and file of the religion in the region.
In an interview with JoyNews after the prayer, Maulvi Bhatti urged Muslims to be each other’s keepers.
‘We need to be sympathetic and show affection to our fellow human beings,’ he added.
Maulvi Bhatti was not happy about the increasing cases of the abuse of drugs and opioids and called on the youth to avoid drugs to be useful citizens for society.
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