NGO to expedite work on Kanda Mosque Complex
Human Development International (HUDAI), the non-governmental organisation constructing the Kanda Mosque Complex, has resolved to speed up work and complete the project on time. When completed, the 10-million Euro facility will accommodate about 10,000 Muslims.Advertisement
The facility will have a school complex, a residence for the National Chief Imam, an auditorium, a conference centre, a car park, a library and an Islamic school, among other facilities.
Work on the complex started in December, last year and is expected to be completed in early February next year.
The land for the mosque was handed over to the National Chief Imam, Shiekh Dr Nuhu Sharubutu, in 1995 by former President Rawlings in replacement of a mosque demolished for the construction of the Rawlings Park in Accra.
Construction works were first started by ‘the Ghana Muslim Community’ but it was abandoned for almost 10 years due to the lack of funding. However, the concerned Muslim Youth of Ghana took over by sourcing funds for the work to restart.
An Executive Treasurer of the Concerned Muslim Youth of Ghana, Alhaji Amuda Mulki, said the construction work on the Kanda Mosque project was on course.
“As youth, we launched the project on January 15, 2011. Quite a number of people donated various items, including money and building materials, to start the project. We have worked diligently to ensure that the project is completed.”
“Raising funds for the project was very challenging but we were able to reactivate the project before handing it over to (HUDAI) in February last year,” he added.
A sub-contractor, Mr Rahmi Demirtash, stated that Human Development International had a cordial relationship with Ghanaians and also had a branch in Ghana and that encouraged them to assist Muslims in Ghana to complete the project.
He said when completed, the mosque would be known as the ‘Furkan Mosque’, meaning the ‘blue mosque.’
The sub-contractor thanked the government of Ghana and the National Chief Imam for their support.
“We are ready to help the Muslim community; we will be happy if you hand over the Kaokudi Park for us to build a university for the Zongo community,” he said.
Alhaji Issah, a resident and an opinion leader in Kaokudi, expressed his excitement at the prospect of the completion of the project.
“We are happy work on the mosque is currently ongoing and it will be the biggest mosque in Ghana. Our children will get a good secondary school to attend, just like the other second cycle institutions in Ghana,” he said. Mr Mustapha Issaka (a young man in the area) said the area did not need a big mosque since there were many mosques around.
“This project has been in existence for 10 good years now. We thank the NGO for its voluntary work. My advice to our leaders is for them to be honest and upright to ensure that good things come to the Zongo communities.’’
By Alima Awudu/Ghana
