Muslims urged to embrace unity for development

Dr Ziblim Iddi, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has urged Muslims within the indigenous communities in Ghana to unite under one umbrella and voice out mutually beneficial development projects for national development.

He said healthy and peaceful relations with ones’ neighbour born out of hospitality and tolerance were part of the national culture, which had facilitated national develop.

Dr Iddi was speaking at the second edition of the Celebration of the Inner-City Leyyah Festival, in Accra, on the theme: “Bridging the Traditional and Religious Barriers”. 

He explained that the Leyyah Festival was not in competition with the Zongofest but rather, promoting peace and unity together.

He said, “The Leyyah Festival is not competing with Zongofest, therefore, the negative information out there, that is meant to make the National Commission on Culture and the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture appear unpalatable is unfortunate.”

The theme of the festival was manifested through all the events of the festival, thus exhibition of arts and crafts, traditional performances, food-fair, and artistes’ performances.

The National Commission on Culture organised the festival in collaboration with the Ga-Dangme Muslim Council and the Council of the nine Regional Inner-City Muslim Chiefs.

The Leyyah Festival seeks to promote peaceful co-existence, economic empowerment, and national development through culture.

It also seeks to promote talents and unite Ghanaians through the act of sharing and sacrifice.

Mrs Gifty Mahama Biyira, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Development, who represented the sector Minister, reaffirmed the Ministry’s support to promote the interest of the Inner- City communities. 

She said reckoning the arduous task ahead, the Ministry needed the full support of Ghanaians to achieve its objective.

Mr Sultan Nii Nortey Caesar, the President of the Ga-Dangme Muslim Council and the representative of the Council of the Nine Regional Inner-City Muslim Chiefs, also pledged their full support and frequent engagement in ensuring the success and vision of the Government.

He called on the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Inner-City and Zongo Development to support the Leyyah Festival financially for it to become an umbrella that would advance the interest of the indigenous Muslims in Ghana. 

Source: GNA