The coordinator for the Zongo Development Secretariat, Ben Abdallah Banda, has reiterated the government’s commitment to develop zongos and inner-cities across the country to improve the lives of people living in these areas.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary durbar of the Ghana Academy of Muslim Professionals (GAMP) in Accra over the weekend, Banda said that the government has, so far, delivered more than 400 projects in Zongo communities nationwide.
He said, “for the record, I will like to tell the audience gathered here that, the Zongo Development Fund and the Zongo Development Ministry, which I said have now been reconstituted into the Zongo Development Secretariat, has contributed more than 400 projects, all scattered within the confines of the Zongo communities here in Ghana and we promise to do more.”
Banda told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, the over 400 projects are in all sectors of the economy, including education, health, infrastructure and sports.
On infrastructure, for instance, he said, about 500 metres of access roads have been constructed in Konongo Zongo in the Ashanti Region. One thousand metres of drains has been completed in Techiman Zongo, Asem-Kumasi and Kintampo.
On education, Banda said about 34 six-unit basic classroom blocks have been constructed with 21 others ongoing countrywide and at different stages of completion.
He also said, a total of 3,050 dual desks and 60,000 text books in English, Mathematics, Science and Arabic have been supplied to schools across the country through the Islamic Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service.
Other projects are: bursary support for about 239 brilliant but needy students throughout the country, provision of 21-passenger capacity bed lift for the Mamobi General Hospital in Accra and the completion of 58 limited mechanised water systems with 59 others ongoing in Zongo communities across the country.
The rest are: completion of eight institutional toilets with ten others ongoing, provision of 3,430 streetlights comprising the grid-tie and solar powered units installed countrywide and nine completed astro turfs with eight ongoing.
The theme for the durbar was: “30 years of community service— The GAMP story.”
Banda, who is also the chairman of the national hajj board, commended the GAMP for its contribution to the Muslim community and helping to reduce poverty, illiteracy and diseases in the Zongo communities. He assured that the secretariat will collaborate with the GAMP to improve the lives of people in the Muslim communities.
He said, “your track record is solid and we recognise the essence of the work you do.
“We will partner you to achieve our common goal of building a better future for all.”
Alhassan Andani, a former managing director of Stanbic Bank, delivered a speech on the topic: “the role of Muslim professionals in curbing corruption in Ghana.” He urged Ghanaians to play their part to help curb the corruption canker.
He said “let’s be apostles of the anti-corruption movement not only in Ghana but across the world.”
Rabiatu Ammah, the chairperson of the board of GAMP, appealed to corporate organisations and benevolent individuals to support the organisation to construct a new office complex to facilitate their work.
More than 20 individuals and organisations were awarded for their contributions to the GAMP. Notable among them are: Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, the national Chief Imam; I. C. Quaye, a former Greater Accra Regional Minister; Henry Quartey, current Greater Accra Regional Minister and Arimeyaw Shaibu, spokesperson to the National Chief Imam.
The GAMP is an organisation that seeks to promote education and humanitarian services in Ghana, especially in deprived communities.
It was formed in November, 1992 and officially inaugurated in February, 1994 by the late M. A. Mujahid Toure as the Ghana Muslim Academy.
The name was, however, changed to GAMP in 2017.
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