Chief Imam, Zongo Chiefs laud Akufo-Addo and Bawumia on 40 Cuban Medical Scholarships

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and the National Council of Zongo Chiefs have commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their progressive vision for education in the country.

Speaking at a ceremony in Accra where 40 selected students from deprived and Zongo communities who have been granted full government scholarship to study medicine in Cuba called on the Chief Imam to bid him farewell ahead of their departure, both the National Chief Imam and the Council of Zongo Chiefs lauded the Akuffo-Addo government's vision for education in glowing terms, especially the decision to award full scholarships to 40 students from deprived communities to study medicine in Cuba.

The National Chief Imam said education and knowledge is the future of society and to focus on improving education or seeking knowledge is to focus on the future.

"Knowledge is the future. Knowledge is everything that guarantees your elevation in society," Sheikh Sharubutu said.

"Let us embrace the policy on education this government has introduced because it is good for us and our children."

The Chief Imam quoted from the Holy Qur'an that it is Allah who grants leadership to whom He desires, adding that Allah gave Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia and called for support and prayers for them to execute their policies.

"As Allah has said in the Qur'an, He decides whom to give leadership position to. So whoever Allah has given to us as our leaders, we have to support and pray for them to succeed."

"God gave us Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia. Therefore, I pray for Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia for Allah to guide them to execute all their good policies for this country, especially on education."

On the scholarship granted 40 students from deprived and Zongo communities to go and study medicine in Cuba, Sheikh Osman said it is a great vision by the government which will be of immense benefit to society and the students. He therefore, urged the beneficiaries to work hard and make good use of the opportunity.

Council of Zongo Chiefs hail government

The National Council of Zongo Chiefs also commended President Akuffo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia for their efforts at promoting education.

Spokesperson of the Council, Alhaji Imoro Baba Issah, said education has been a challenge to many children from deprived communities and thanked the President and his Vice for the welcome opportunity they have given 40 students to be trained as doctors in Cuba.

"We want to commend the efforts of President Nana Akuffo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their efforts," said Alhaji Baba Issah.

"When you talk about the Zongo Youth, education has been a challenge and we are grateful to all those who have facilitated this (40 medical scholarship to Cuba) especially the President and the Vice President for initiating this to get youth from deprived and Zongo communities to train as doctors to serve our communities and the nation."

Be ambassadors of Ghana

The Council of Zongo Chiefs adviced the students to embrace the opportunity granted them and focus on why the country is sending them to Cuba.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for you so cease it and make yourselves proud so that you can come back and help your community and your country."

"As you go there, you will meet people from other countries. Uphold your values and be worthy ambassadors of Ghana by holding high the flag of Ghana."

"We will keep praying for you and the National Chief Imam will keep praying for you. But you should be focused at all times."

Representatives of the various Islamic sects; Ahlusunnah Wal Jamaa Jamaah, Shiat and the Ahmadiyya Mission, all lauded President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia for initiating this opportunity for these underprivileged students from the deprived communities they were selected from.

The representative of all the religious sects also advised the students to repose the confidence the government has showed in them.

Importance of diversity

In his closing sermon and advise, the National Chief Imam urged all to continue to respect religious diversity and leave peacefully with people of different religious beliefs.

When all the 40 students on the fully funded government scholarship to Cuba introduced themselves, it demonstrated the diversity the Chief Imam spoke about because the names of the students suggested they were carefully selected from varied religious, ethnic backgrounds across the country.

Background of Scholarship

At the 2019 Maulid Commemoration in Accra, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced he had successfully brokered a deal for students from deprived and Zongo communities to be sent to Cuba by the government of Ghana to study medicine during his State visit to Cuba.

He added that the move to make a special arrangements for students in these deprived areas was in line with the Akufo-Addo government's quest to develop human capital through education and training.

The 40 students are expected to leave Ghana this month.