President Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated government’s commitment to building a society that creates equal opportunities for all Ghanaians.
Speaking at the Eid ul Adha celebrations at the Black Star Square, the President said: “Our goal is to create a society of equal opportunities for all, and we shall not relent until we achieve it.”
The President said in pursuit of this objective, government established the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development.
President Akufo-Addo believes a key component of the creation of a society of inclusion is by ensuring that every Ghanaian child gets the opportunity to develop their 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 actualize 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,” he said.
Citing Hajj pilgrimage as an example of inclusion, President Akufo-Addo said: “..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.”
The President continued, “In the same way, we are determined to ensure that the laws of our country do not discriminate against people under any circumstance.”
He also assured the Muslim community that he will implement recommendations made by the Committee established to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of seven zongo youth of the Asawase community in the Ashanti Region.
“Let me use the occasion of the Eid to renew my commitment to that pledge. Whilst we await the outcome of the Committee’s work, I urge the young men and women of Asawase to continue to exercise restraint and remain law abiding,” he added.
Fight for liberation
He further assured the Chief Imam that he will continue to admonish his appointees to cultivate the same spirit of sacrifice that spurred the country’s forebears to fight for Ghana’s liberation.
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 around our country in a manner that answers to the real needs of all our people,” he added.
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By: Marian Ansah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana