Security has been beefed up at Kumasi Central Mosque following a planned attack on the place of worship on Friday.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on Friday foiled what is described as a “planned action” targeting the regional chief imam, Sheikh Abdul Mumin Harun, and the central mosque.
The REGSEC is said to have acted on a tip-off from the imam, Shiekh Abdul Mumin Harun, who reported receiving threats from unknown individuals.
Link to zongo mortuaries?
Reports suggest the threats were linked to the imam’s criticism of a promise by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.
The former president last month announced what he described as the “One Zongo, One Mortuary” initiative if returned to power in the December polls.
Muslims across Ghana have however greeted the promise with widespread condemnation.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, who doubles as chairman of the Regional Security Council, confirmed the incident to the Kumasi-based Hello FM.
“We had to act because the intelligence pointed to an attack on the Kumasi Central Mosque and the imam was the target,” the minister said.
“Strong revolt”
Before the incident an audio recording, believed to be of Mohammed Rabiu, the NDC youth organiser in Tafo Pankrono, located in suburban Kumasi, had begun circulating on social media.
In the recording, Rabiu is heard calling on the Muslim leader to resign and issuing veiled threats.
“Well, he [the imam] is our leader and our prophet but if he thinks he wants to engage in partisan politics he should just abdicate his responsibility. He should know better,” the voice says.
The voice adds: “If he doesn’t do so by Tuesday, I will lead a strong revolt against him to resign as Ashanti Regional chief imam, take it from me,” he added as he issued a three-day ultimatum.
Fred Dzakpata
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