The NPP promised to develop Zongos which are often characterized by insanitary conditions and poorly planned neighborhoods with high unemployment as well as crime rates.

Sheikh Shaibu in an earlier interview with Citi News cast doubts over Nana Addo’s promise, arguing that both the NDC and the NPP had previously failed on their promises.

However, following Nana Addo’s creation of the portfolio to deal with the Zongos and inner cities, the Sheikh says he is now optimistic.

“I think we have moved now beyond just a promise to the level of giving action to the point where it is put into effect because the first one was just a promise of a fund to be created, but the fact that a ministry has been created means that the Ministry will be given a mandate, and the Ministry will be given the resources to be able to implement that promise so it moves from just a mere promise to action.”

He is confident the Minister nominee Boniface Abubakar Siddique, has what it takes to deliver on the promise.

“I’m more than confident because he is somebody I know. He himself is a Zongo breed and he knows our challenges.”

He however called for broader consultations to be held to determine how challenges facing the Zongo communities can be resolved.

“There must be broad consultations to determine what are the priority areas and the issue of sustainability are areas that we want to look at. My expectation is that this Ministry will facilitate accelerated development. The focus that I am expecting should be in the area of education.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post I now believe NPP can transform Zongos – Sheikh Aremeyaw appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This Zongo development fund will be captured in the incoming Nana Akufo-Addo administration’s first budget statement in 2017.

As a campaign promise, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has promised to establish a Zongo development fund to regenerate Zongo communities across the country.

Addressing Zongo Chiefs at his residence, Nana Akufo-Addo also debunked rumours of purported ill intent against the Zongos and the Muslim community, adding that we will lead the nation with a clean heart and encouraged Muslims to supplicate for him to lead the nation to success.

“In the first budget of the Akufo-Addo Presidency, there will be a line item in our budget that has never been there in any budget since independence in 1957 since today – the Zongo development fund.”

“I have no agenda against anybody, Zongo or anybody else in Ghana. The only agenda I have is how we can prosperity to all the people living in this country,” Nana Akufo Addo said.

Skepticism from Muslim community

A Muslim community leader, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, has however expressed doubt that Zongo communities around the country will see any significant transformation under the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Following the NPP’s election victory, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, who also doubles as the Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, said things in the Zongo community might remain the same.

He suggested that the various governments have resorted to what he calls the culture of “tokenism” to exploit the Zongo communities for their benefit.

“Even the politicians themselves underrate the intelligence of our leaders and that is what explains the tokenism, the token approach to what they do to respond to the needs of the Muslim community. One of this is to dwell on giving Muslims bags of sugar and rice during Ramadan. As a Muslim community leader, I am looking forward to see how NPP will live up to its expectation.”

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Photos: Sammi Wiafe

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Zongo development fund to be line item in 2017 budget – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.