Stop The Bloodbath …Chief Imam Cautions Tafo Zongo Youth

National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has sternly cautioned angry Muslim youth at Old Tafo in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, to refrain from violently attacking natives of the area and allow peace to prevail.

Islam, he stated, abhors the spilling of blood and entreated the feuding factions, especially the Muslim youth, to let sleeping dogs lie and continue to live together peacefully.

Sheikh Sharubutu expressed sadness about the conflict between the angry Muslim youth and residents of Tafo this week over the fencing of a cemetery in the community.

Sheikh Sharubutu disclosed this while addressing Imams, Zongo chiefs, opinion leaders and Zongo youth at Tafo after he led prayers at the Tafo Central Mosque on Friday afternoon.

The event was graced by the outgoing Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi Mensah, DCOP Kofi Boakye, Regional Police Commander, Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Mayor and Brigadier Commander, Joseph Adu Boampong.

The National Chief Imam earlier interacted with the Tafohene and his elders at his palace to promote peace in the area.

He also met with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to find ways of finding lasting solution to the impasse at Tafo.

Curfew Reviewed

Addressing Muslims at the mosque, Peter Anarfi Mensah disclosed that dusk-to-dawn which was imposed on the residents by REGSEC had been reviewed from 8pm to 4am due to Chief Imam’s intervention.

According to him, REGSEC would continue to monitor the security situation at Tafo, adding that REGSEC would lift the curfew if the situation improves.

Arrested Freed

Mr. Anarfi Mensah announced that 45 people that were arrested by the combined police and military team on Wednesday would also be freed because of the Chief Imam’s intervention geared towards bringing lasting peace to the area.

He asked the Tafo youth, who were initially declared wanted by the security agencies in connection with the clashes, to return to the area.

The minister debunked media reports that the Chief Imam of Tafo had been declared wanted by REGSEC in connection with the clashes which led to the destruction of property and lost of lives.

Mr. Anarfi Mensha sternly cautioned people that were inflaming passions through social media including ‘Facebook’ at Tafo to refrain from doing so.

He stated that the fracas has nothing to do with tribal or religious issues as being speculated by a section of the media.

Sarkin Zongo of Kumasi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Sultan, expressed sadness about the skirmishes which occurred at Tafo recently, urging the Muslim youth to accept the plea of the Chief Imam and allow peace to reign in the area.

MP for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, also stressed the need for the people of Tafo to live peacefully to help boost development in the area and Ghana in general.