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Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, Ghana’s Second Lady, has called for unity and cohesion among Muslim students despite political differences, urging them to prioritize education for the development of their communities. She made this appeal while speaking at the 2024 Annual Muslim Ladies’ Conference, organized by the Ghana Muslim Students’ Association (GMSA), at the Kumasi Central Mosque.
The conference, which brought together prominent Islamic scholars, educators, students, and leaders from across the country, focused on the empowerment of Muslim women through education and leadership. The theme for this year’s gathering emphasized the critical role of education in advancing the social and economic development of Zongo communities.
Addressing the audience, Mrs. Bawumia underscored the importance of unity, stressing that political differences should not divide the Muslim community. She emphasized that cooperation is vital for addressing key issues such as youth development, education, and community progress.
“We must not allow political differences to divide us as Muslims. Our unity is paramount if we are to tackle the challenges we face in our communities,” the Second Lady said. “We have a shared responsibility to contribute to the advancement of our people, and we can only achieve this through collective effort, regardless of our political affiliations.”
Mrs. Bawumia, who is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, highlighted the role of education in transforming lives, especially for young Muslim women. She encouraged the women present to take full charge of their academic journeys, noting that educated women play a pivotal role in the development of Zongo communities.
“Your education is not just for your personal benefit; it is for the progress of your entire community. An educated woman can change the destiny of her community and contribute meaningfully to the nation. Let your focus be on achieving excellence in your education and empowering yourselves for the betterment of society,” she urged.
The Second Lady also praised GMSA for its continuous efforts to support Muslim women in accessing education and leadership opportunities. She reiterated the government’s commitment to improving access to education, particularly for marginalized groups such as those in Zongo communities.
On his part, the President of the Ghana Muslim Students’ Association, Abdul Hakim Abdul Razak, commended the Second Lady for her advocacy and support for education within the Zongo communities. He noted that the conference served as a platform for young Muslim women to discuss key issues affecting their development, particularly in areas such as education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Abdul Razak stressed the need for Zongo communities to focus on youth empowerment and development through education, highlighting the importance of the GMSA’s work in this regard. “We are committed to ensuring that Muslim women have access to higher education and the resources they need to thrive in today’s society. This conference provides an opportunity for us to deliberate on these issues and come up with solutions that can move our communities forward,” he stated.
He also took the opportunity to advise Muslim youth, especially those eligible to vote, to comport themselves responsibly before, during, and after the upcoming December Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He urged them to avoid becoming instruments of political violence, stressing that peaceful elections were crucial for the country’s stability and development.
“Let us not allow ourselves to be used by politicians to cause violence during the elections. We have a role to play in ensuring that our communities remain peaceful, and we can do this by being vigilant and responsible in our actions,” Abdul Razak added.
The conference featured several panel discussions and speeches from Islamic scholars, educators, and community leaders, all aimed at encouraging Muslim women to take on leadership roles and contribute positively to the development of their communities through education and unity.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the Second Lady’s insightful speech and pledged to work towards strengthening unity within the Muslim community and advancing the cause of education among Muslim women.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all attendees to work towards the socio-economic development of Zongo communities, with a focus on empowering Muslim women through education, unity, and leadership.
By Simon Opoku Afriyie
