A renowned Moslem Scholar, Professor Emeritus Lukeman Mohammed, has described as very “insulting and denigrating” of Muslims and others who live in Zongos, the promise to develop a Zongo Development Fund to raise the image of such communities.

Professor Mohammed, a senior Lecturer at the City University of New York, said politicians should cease looking down on the intelligence of people of the Northern origin who live in such deprived communities with vague promises.

He was contributing to a forum during the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah's encounter with Professionals.

“I find this statement very discriminatory. I find this statement as being called special. Let us treat Zongo people just as we do to all Ghanaians. That Zongo Development Fund in our sense is not doable. I heard some lies over there but please let us not treat Zongo people that way,” the scholar said.

Ghana’s largest opposition party has been parading a series of promises to the Zongo community, particularly, referring to the choice of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as running mate as a key example of its commitment.

But Prof. Mohammed believes Dr Bawumia, a Muslim, has failed to protect the dignity of Muslims by speaking against the import of Nana Addo’s campaign team.

The NPP and the NDC have been debating each other over policies and previous actions by their governments to promote the interest of Muslims and Zongo communities by extension.

The NDC said its governments have demonstrated real commitment in helping Muslims.

President Mahama’s government has built the only Islamic College of Education in West Africa at Wenchi which will help Train Islamic teachers in Arabic.

The NDC saw the creation of the Islamic Education Unit. The NDC government under Jerry Rawlings passed a law creating two holidays to commemorate holy days on the Islamic calendar.

The NDC has promised to pass a policy that will make Arabic examinable in schools.

Prof. Mohammed’s strong objection amplifies the position of the silent majority who have read in between the lines.

Zongos are areas populated predominantly by settlers from Northern Sahel areas.

Many of the settlers there are a few who remained and grouped in those deprived areas to resettle after their parents’ properties were seized under the Aliens Compliance Order.

 starrfmonline.com