According to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the administration will keep pursuing the policies and initiatives that have made sure that “things are getting better.”
He assured them that things would get better and stay better.
Things Will Get Better – President Akufo-Addo
In order to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme in record time, the President claimed that the government’s attitude and commitment to maintaining flagship policy programmes and developing new strategies in the face of the economic crisis would be the same in navigating the turbulence.
The economy grew by 4.2% in the first quarter of this year as a result of those actions, the President continued.
Eid-ul-Adha prayers
At a big gathering of Muslim believers celebrating Eid ul-Adha on Wednesday in Accra’s Black Star Square, President Akufo-Addo issued the promise.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, the German Ambassador, Daniel Krull, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers of state, and some Muslim clergy were present.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second and biggest of Islam’s two major religious holidays.
It praises Ibrahim’s commitment to obey God’s instruction by offering up Ismail, one of his sons, as a sacrifice.
To symbolise the core of the ceremony, the Vice President, National Chief Imam, and a select group of dignitaries slaughtered a cow, much as Allah had instructed Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram rather than Isaka.
Economy
Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to President Akufo-Addo, the government was adhering to its main policy pledges.
“We have continued to keep the lights on and provide Free SHS education,” he said.
He said the government would keep providing services like the One-District, One-Factory policy and the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, as well as using drones to deliver essential medications to remote and underserved communities. He also said the Zongo Development Fund would continue to operate.
Apart from receiving an IMF plan and experiencing first-quarter economic growth, the currency has recently had some stability, according to President Akufo-Addo.
Using the example of the gold for oil initiative, he said, “We’ve seen the stability in the prices of petroleum products as well, all of which are helping to bring inflation down,” and he gave the assurance that things will get better.
Commitment
The 1992 Constitution granted everyone the right to manifest the religion of their choice, and President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his commitment to all religious communities, both majority and minority, that he would respect it.
He said it should be obvious to Muslim parents that it is important for their children to receive an education because there are two Vice Presidents of the Muslim religion in the two New Patriotic Party (NPP) regimes.
The President emphasised that parents should use the nation’s innovative educational programmes to educate both their male and female offspring, saying that they should be encouraged that all children have the opportunity to pursue their highest callings.
President Akufo-Addo named Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s ambassador to the United States of America, and Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the minister of gender, children, and social protection, as examples of female Muslims who have achieved success in society and emphasised the importance of educating Muslim girls.
National Imam
In a speech that was read on his behalf, the National Chief Imam exhorted Muslims to follow the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed and abstain from wrongdoing.
Sheikh Sharubutu advised them to follow Ibrahim’s lead in obeying God’s demand to make a sacrifice.
The National Chief Imam stated that, in addition to celebrating Eid-ul-Adha, people should remember and honour the sacrifice made by the Prophet Ibrahim, the founder of the monotheistic religion, who demonstrated his willingness to carry out Allah’s plan.
The Muslim faithful were exhorted by Sheikh Sharbutu to take heed of the necessity of sacrificing whatever good things they may have for one another in order for the world to be awash in love, respect, and compassion for unwavering peace.