Be law abiding - Chief Imam charges Zongo youth

The newly installed Chief Imam of Israel Lomlava and the Council of Ulamah in the Okaiman Traditional Area, Imam Suraka Swallah Abdul-Rahman Nicher, has charged the youth living in Zongo communities across the country to be law abiding and decorous in their conduct.

The Imam, who was until recently the deputy Chief Imam for the area, advice comes after his installation as the Chief Imam of Okaiman in Accra.

He asked the youth particularly in the Muslim Communities to avoid being used to foment trouble but rather channel their time and resources into productive things which will help improve their lives and communities respectively.

He urged them to abide by the rules and the laws of the country because, no one is above the law. "I want to advise my brothers and sisters in the Zongos to be careful with whatever they do” he noted.

He stated that the abuse of hard drugs like Tramadol is now becoming common within the Muslim community, this he called on the youth to refrain from its use as its implications to human health are dangerous.

The Imam revealed that the major challenges confronting his community is access to good roads, street lights, drainage among others.

He therefore called on the government to come to the aid of the community to ensure development adding that the community lacks educational infrastructure to enhance good and quality education.

He also called on the government to help complete one of the schools at the community which is at its middle stage of completion.

He appealed to Non Governmental Organisations'[NGOs], philanthropists and other individuals to come to the aid of some schools by supporting and organizing a quiz competition in both Arabic and English.

According to him, he will use his office as the Chief Imam to bring his people together and forge ahead with unity to ensure massive development in the community adding that the community has various tribes and groups hence his quest to bring all on board to help in developing and empowering the people especially the youth.