God put us here for a purpose, let’s live together as one - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani has called on Ghanaians not to allow partisan politics to tear the nation apart but stay together and forge ahead in unity, for that is the wish of God who put us together.

For the umpteenth time, the President pledged his commitment to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court in the ongoing challenge of the results of the December 2012 presidential election, saying everyone is enjoined to accept the decision of the highest court of the land.

President Mahama was addressing a large gathering of Moslems at the Independence Square in Accra on the occasion of the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr to climax this year’s month of Ramadan.

He described the festival as a special one for Moslems worldwide, who in paying homage to Allah have sacrificed their material needs throughout the month. He also said the holy month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual reflection, divine improvements, increased devotion and worship. It is also a period during which we pray for Allah’s forgiveness even as we forgive others their sins. It is a period of piety, it is a period of abstinence, it is a period of self-discipline, it is a period of prayer and it is a period of charity.

But President Mahama said Eid-ul-Fitr - a fitting climax to a month of self-denial and piety and an opportunity to show goodwill to our fellow men and women - must be of extra significance for Ghanaians “especially at a time when partisanship appears to be tearing us apart.

“Let us use this day to reflect on ourselves as citizens of one nation with a common destiny. Allah put all of us Ghanaians here for a purpose. We and our children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren will continue to live here in this great land that Allah has given us. We must therefore learn to live and work together to make Ghana a country that we can all be proud of,” he told the gathering.

He emphasised that the Supreme Court is the highest court of the land created by the national constitution which enjoins us all to respect that court and accept it as the final arbiter in any litigation, reminding all that he took an oath to defend the constitution or suffer the penalty thereof. “My attitude to the verdict of the Supreme Court is therefore not in any doubt,” he said.

Appeal for religious tolerance

President Mahama reiterated his call on religious leaders to help maintain the religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence that happily exist in the country and thank God for preserving the peace in the nation.

He urged Ghanaians to constantly intercede with God to allow us to continue to enjoy the harmonious co-existence.

“I wish also to call on our youth, especially our Moslem and northern youth not to allow themselves to be influenced by persons to fight their battles for them. Let people fight their own battles.

Ghana is the only country we have

President Mahama said Ghanaians have a lot to be grateful to Allah for. He said while the nation has had some difficult challenges with the economy, energy crisis and market fires, but these were temporary phenomenon and that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“It is my wish that we quickly put this litigation at the Supreme Court behind us and focus again in building a better Ghana for ourselves and our children.

“Your Eminence the Chief Imam, distinguished guests, as we mark this solemn day, I wish to remind us of the saying of our late father and father and President John Evans Atta Mills when he said that ‘Ghana is the only country that we have and all of us are the creation of the Almighty Allah.’ As President of Ghana I assure Ghanaians that the imperatives of national unity, peace, harmony, collective development and progress will continue to be the guiding principles of my government throughout my term in office.

Hajj organisation and National Pilgrimage Board

President Mahama assured that the government was committed to resolving any challenges confronting the organisation of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and urged all potential pilgrims this year to cooperate with the Hajj authorities by paying their bills and making all necessary arrangements in good time to ensure an incident-free pilgrimage.

He said Ghana’s quota to this year’s pilgrimage to the holy city has been reduced from 6700 to 5400 pilgrims as a result of some engineering and civil works on-going in Mecca. The slash in quota also affects all countries of the world, he said.

“I therefore wish to urge all Moslem brothers and sisters who intend to perform the Hajj this year, to register as early as possible because it is going to be on an absolutely first come, first served basis.”

President Mahama also announced the approval of the report of a committee set up to develop parameters for the establishment of a National Pilgrimage Board, which will oversee the organisation of all pilgrimages in the country, including the Hajj.

He said a drafting committee has been constituted by the Chief of Staff to start drafting a bill for the Attorney General’s consideration and expressed the hope that by the end of this year, the National Pilgrimage Board would be operational.

National Mosque

The President expressed gratitude to the government and people of Turkey and others for supporting the construction of a national mosque, saying it was his daily prayer that God grants all, including the National Chief Imam long life to witness the completion and opening of the grand mosque.


Story by Isaac Yeboah/graphic.com.gh/Ghana