Don’t fan conflict - Minister warns radio stations

Northern regional minister Salifu Saeed has warned radio stations in the Tamale metropolis to desist from using their platforms to encourage foul verbal exchanges between the Sunni community (Ambariya) and Imam Abu Dijana (son of Sheikh Basha).

He said government would not countenance such conduct that has the tendency to inflame passions among the people of the region, especially Muslims. He indicated the region has been relatively peaceful since the assumption of office of the Akufo-Addo government and for that matter any individual, group, or institution bent on fomenting chaos in the area will be dealt with severely.

According to Mr Saeed, Muslims are all united on the basic principle that Islam stands for peace. “More so, we have just completed 30 days of fasting in the month of Ramadan, which is a special one. This is the period Muslims go through spiritual upliftment through various sacrifices. However, it is barely a week since we ended this wonderful month and we should not allow our differences to derail these great sacrifices. Muslims are shining examples and we cannot fail the people,” he charged them.

On Friday 30 June, some scholars of the Ambariya Islamic school made some allegations against Sheikh Basha on Tamale-based Zaa Radio in rebuttal to Imam Abu Dijana’s statement that his father (Sheikh Basha) contributed significantly to the establishment of Sunna and for that matter, Ambariya Islamic School, in the Northern Region. The Ambariya Imam, responding to these comments, said no student Sheikh Basha taught Arabic had ever passed the subject. He alleged all his children, including Abu Dijana, failed to make a mark during their studies in Saudi Arabia. They also alleged it had been revealed to them that Sheikh Basha was spiritually fighting Sheikh Saeed Abubakari, the leader of the Sunni community in the area.

But speaking to Class News’ regional correspondent, Mohammed Gadafi, in an exclusive interview, Mr Saeed directed REGSEC to descend heavily on any individual, group or institution that would try to cause mayhem in the area. He said government would not hesitate to close down any radio station which allows people to use its airwaves to spew indecent and unguarded comments to mar the peace of the region.

Mr Saeed said the Regional Security Council would facilitate the dialogue process to ensure both parties cease fire.

He added that the Akufo-Addo led-government was ready to partner the private sector to invest in the development of the country and that the people of Tamale were now interested in doing business for which reason the region needs peace for development to be carried out.