The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has commenced his 2019 nationwide Ramadan tour in Dambai, capital of the newly created Oti Region.
The Ramadan tour is an innovation by the Vice President to connect with his fellow Muslim across the country during the Holy month of Ramadan. The tour will see him make stop overs at various villages, towns and cities, where he will observe prayers with the Zongo community, as well as join them for iftar, the sunset meal used to break the Ramadan fast
Ahead of his first congregational prayer of the Ramadan tour earlier today, the Vice President called on the Omanhene of Dambai, Nana Kwaku Beyenor at his Palace, and the Omanhene expressed appreciation to the Government for the creation of the Oti Region.
While expressing his people’s gratitude to the Government and assuring the Vice President of his people’s support, the Omanhene prayed for God’s protection for the President and the entire government.
Vice President Bawumia also thanked the Omanhene and his Chiefs for their warm welcome. He also expressed delight over the creation of the Oti Region.
“Last time I came here, I came to Dambai District. Today, I am here in Dambai and it is a regional capital. We can say thank God,” said the Vice President.
From there, Dr. Bawumia and his entourage joined the Zongo Community at the Dambai Central Mosque to observe the Jummah prayers.
From Dambai, the Vice President and his team moved to Kwamekrom, in the Biakoye District, where he joined the Zongo community to observe Asr (mid afternoon prayers).
After prayers were observed, the Vice President reiterated government’s commitment to the development of Zongo communities in the country. He cited the establishment of the Zongo Development Fund, the creation of the Ministry of Zongo and Inner-Cities Development, the engagement of over 3000 Mallams to teach In Makaranta (Islamic schools) and the making of Arabic examinable at the secondary level, as key policies by the Nana Akufo-Addo government which buttress the government’s commitment to its pledge to Zongo communities.
“It has just been two years but we have shown that the Zongo community is a priority for us. This is just the beginning and we will do more for the Zongo Community,” Dr. Bawumia told the mainly Akan speaking Zongo community in Twi.
The Vice President added that Zongo communities were marginalized in the past, but for the for the first time in the history of Ghana, a budget was approved in 2017 purposely for Zongo development. He assured Zongo communities of government’s continuous focus on developing Zongos. He revealed that the Ministry in charge of Zongo Development, just last week, finalised certain projects they want to embark in the Zongo communities.
From Kwamekrom, Dr. Bawumia and his entourage moved to Kadjebi where he joined the Muslim Community there to break the fast at sunset, and also to perform prayers together.
The Vice President is being accompanied on the tour by the Minister for Zongo and Inner-Cities Development, Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, as well as Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President, Hon. Boniface Abubar Sadique.
