Drama At BA Chief Imam's Funeral

DRAMA NEARLY occurred at the funeral grounds of the late Chief Imam for Brong Ahafo Region (BAR), Abudulai Tulere as Mr. Issifu Ali, Regional Chairman of the Ghana Muslim Mission Association (GMMA) ordered the removal of a National Democratic Congress (NDC) tag pasted on the canopy reserved for the party (NDC) as a sitting place.

Ali, who acted as a member of the Convention People's Party (CPP), walked to the members of the funeral committee and demanded a reserved place for his party, but the members could not reserve sitting places for the rest of the other political parties.

This did not please the "CPP man" and he, therefore, ordered the removal of the tag in order to avoid any eventuality occurring at the funeral grounds.

His request was not heeded to as he himself went and removed the tag.

At the time of removing the tag, NDC executives were not present to see their reaction.

Addressing Muslims at the funeral, the Regional Minister, Mr. Ernest Akuaboa Debrah, advised Muslims not to allow party politics or their religious background to divide them.

The minister called on Muslims to avoid discrimination adding that they should tolerate each other's views.

Debrah expressed sadness as the entire Muslim community and the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) would be missing an honourable and loyal man like Imam Tulere.

He, however, shared his joy with the entire BAR Muslims for coming out with an acceptable Chief Imam.

The minister called for co-operation and support from all Muslims in the region to help the newly-installed 59-year-old farmer, Umar Abdulai-Kadir, to execute his duties as Regional Chief Imam.

Performing the installation, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, reminded Muslims in the region that he did not impose any candidate on them, but rather installing a choice of all Muslims in the region.

Sheikh Sharabutu emphasized that his office does not choose Imams for a particular region but rather install the chosen candidate by his people.

He advised the newly installed Chief Imam to be open to all Muslims and any other people who may call on him for support as a regional leader of Muslims.

The National Chief Imam cautioned him not to be difficult to be controlled and should always prepare to present himself for any task imposed on him as a regional Chief Imam.

The celebration of the late Chief Imam's funeral and the installation were jointly performed.

The ceremony was attended by all district Chief Imams from the 13 districts of the region except the Wenchi Chief Imam who was eyeing the position.

The government delegation was led by Senior Minister J.H. Mensah.