President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a series of measures to support Ghana’s Muslim community, including reduced Hajj pilgrimage costs, additional public holidays, and protections for women wearing hijabs. These commitments were announced during the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving Service at the National Mosque in Accra.
The initiatives are based on recommendations from the National Chief Imam and other Muslim leaders during the recent election campaign. President Mahama explained that the proposals were incorporated into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto. “Out of the 14 points proposed by the Muslim leadership, 12 were included in our manifesto,” he stated.
One of the primary commitments is to significantly lower Hajj fares, making the pilgrimage more affordable for Muslims. To achieve this, a five-member Hajj task force, led by veteran MP Collins Dauda, will travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj Conference and negotiate cost reductions. “Our aim is to drastically reduce Hajj fares so more Muslims can fulfill this spiritual obligation,” Mahama said.
The President also pledged to introduce an additional public holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr. He assured the audience that once Parliament resumes, the Holidays Act will be amended to formalize the change. Starting this year, the Muslim community will have two days of holiday during the Sallah celebrations.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to religious freedom, President Mahama vowed to safeguard the rights of Muslim women to wear hijabs in public spaces. “We will ensure that the constitutional rights of Muslim women to wear the hijab are fully protected,” he affirmed.
Other initiatives highlighted by the President include scholarships for students from underprivileged Muslim communities, with a focus on fields such as medicine, law, and information technology. Additionally, he announced plans to recruit more Arabic teachers and establish the Soiya Fund, a microcredit scheme aimed at empowering families in disadvantaged Muslim areas.
Mahama also revealed plans to introduce Islamic banking practices into Ghana’s financial system. Discussions with the Bank of Ghana will be initiated to develop financial instruments aligned with Islamic principles.
These measures reflect the government’s broader efforts to enhance inclusion and provide targeted support to the Muslim community, demonstrating a commitment to the promises made during the electoral campaign.
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