President Cautions Youth Against Violence

President John Evans Mills has reiterated his call on the youth in the country to be wary and guard themselves against being used for violence and other uncouth activities ahead of the December general elections.

He added that they should always have in mind that there is only one Ghana, even though they may belong to different political parties.

The President made the call when he joined Muslims in Greater Accra Region in their Ghana at 55 anniversary thanksgiving prayer ll , at the Central Mosque in Abossey-Okai. The President noted that there can be no progress if power is acquired through violence, adding that the greater responsibility at ensuring peaceful general elections in December lies on them leaders of political parties.

“We may belong to different political parties but we all belong to Ghana”. The President stated. In a speech read on his behalf, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the Chief Imam said, as pacesetters of democracy on the continent, the upcoming elections will be a test case of Ghana’s credentials hence the need for us to live in peace among ourselves.

The Muslim Leader restated his call on the government to help stop the practice where Muslim student in some of the country’s Senior High Schools are made to comply with Christian norms, saying it amounts to violation of their fundamental rights to free religion.

Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress in his statement recalled a similar prayer gathering last year where the President said his priority in the education sector was to eliminate as many schools under trees as possible; adding, “today over 2000 schools under trees have been eliminated”.

He further urged all Muslims to register in their numbers to ensure their eligibility to vote in the upcoming elections.

“No Muslim woman will be made to remove her veil during the biometric registration; you will only have to push it behind your ear and also ensure it is above your forehead to make your face visible”. Alhaji Hudu Yahaya further informed them.

Present at the ceremony were Hon Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, the newly appointed Greater Accra Regional Minister and Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Transport, as well as muslim leaders from Zongos in the capital.