President Akufo-Addo walking with Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu (left), National Chief Imam.
President Akufo-Addo has charged those who have the opportunity to serve in government, especially his appointees, to learn to sacrifice.
“The founding fathers of this nation sacrificed their all to gain for us our liberty. We have to sustain the gains they made for this country through sacrifice. The story of Prophet Ibrahim must spur us to want to go the extra mile for our country,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo made the assertion when he addressed Muslims yesterday at the Independence Square in Accra during the Eid ul Adha celebrations.
Giving an insight into the family he was born into which considers sacrifice and service to others a sacred duty, he said, “I shall continue to sacrifice my all to ensure that I leave a legacy of peace and progress for coming generations.”
He assured the Chief Imam that he would continue to admonish his appointees to cultivate the same spirit of sacrifice that spurred the country’s forebears to fight for Ghana’s liberation.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to pursuing goals and policies that would ensure the inclusion of all segments of Ghanaians, irrespective of where they live.
According to him, he became president in order to specifically make sacrifices that are required to ensure the socio-economic transformation of Ghana.
“It’s in pursuit of this objective of social inclusion that I established the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development. Our goal is to create a society of equal opportunities for all, and we shall not relent until we achieve it,” he added.
“A key component of the creation of a society of inclusion is by ensuring that every Ghanaian child gets the opportunity of a lifetime to develop his or her potential.
“I know that seeking knowledge is considered a sacred duty in Islam. Our commitment to ensure that no Ghanaian child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge should spur you to actualise the admonishing of the Prophet Muhammad that knowledge is the lost property of a Muslim, and he or she should find it wherever he or she may be,” he added.
Using the Hajj Ritual as an example of how an inclusive society should be built, President Akufo-Addo explained that during Hajj, all pilgrims wear white apparel of the same style and make.
“Therefore, when we look at a sea of pilgrims, we are unable to distinguish the rich from the poor, the high from the low, and the powerful from the weak. Everybody assumes equality before the Lord,” he said.
The President said, “In the same way, we are determined to ensure that the laws of our country do not discriminate against people under any circumstances.”
He assured the Muslim community that he would implement recommendations made by the Committee established to investigate circumstances that led to the death of seven residents of Asawase in the Ashanti Region.
“Let me use the occasion of Eid to renew my commitment to that pledge. Whilst we await the outcome of the Committee, I urge the young men and women of Asawase to continue to exercise restraint and remain law-abiding,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo used the occasion to introduce the new Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, Sheikh Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.
“I am confident that the new minister will continue with the impressive work undertaken so far by his predecessor, and ensure the fulfillment of our pledge of accelerating the pace of development, and the provision of essential social services to communities across our country in a manner that answers to the real needs of all our people,” he added.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent