Kumasi, Nov. 27, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, on Thursday joined thousands of Muslims at the Kumasi Central Mosque to mark the Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. He urged the Moslems to use the occasion to renew their resolve to uphold the peace and lead upright lives.

The Minister said they should also ensure that the level of violence, lawlessness and other anti-social activities that tend to be high in their various communities were brought down. "The nation needs peace and tranquillity to ensure development." Mr Opoku-Manu said it was important for all to help prevent the situation where huge resources that could have gone into productive activities to make life better for people, were spent on conflict resolution.

He said the readiness of Abrahim to sacrifice his beloved son to the almighty God should tell them that as Moslems they should not allow anything to stand between them and Allah. "Our commitment to his dictates should be total."

Mr Opoku-Manu asked them to stand solidly behind government to turn the economy around and gave the assurance that President Mills' administration would never renege on its promise to ensure a better Ghana for all. Sheikh Abdul Moumin Haroun, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, led the congregation to say prayers.