The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his dedication to addressing the health and infrastructural needs of Ghana’s Zongo communities, with a particular focus on providing culturally respectful facilities and enhancing health infrastructure.
At the closing ceremony of the Ghana National Muslims Conference in Accra on Sunday, October 27, Mahama detailed his plans to establish specialized facilities to manage the remains of deceased Muslims according to Islamic burial rites and customs. This initiative, he emphasized, aligns with his 2020 commitment to prioritizing the dignity and specific needs of Muslim communities as part of his broader agenda for national development.
Mahama highlighted that his administration would work to establish a facility designed specifically for the Islamic handling of deceased individuals, ensuring that these processes respect and uphold Islamic religious standards. This approach, he explained, reflects his ongoing commitment to recognizing and supporting the cultural and religious practices of Ghana’s Muslim population, particularly in Zongo areas where there has been a longstanding need for such tailored services.
In addition to these specialized mortuary facilities, Mahama revealed plans to improve health services across Zongo communities by upgrading local health centers with modern medical equipment and resources. Recognizing the essential role of accessible healthcare in community well-being, Mahama pledged that his government would strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in these communities to address a wide range of medical needs efficiently. This initiative is part of his broader vision for an inclusive health policy that not only provides medical assistance but also respects the cultural and religious contexts of the communities it serves.
Furthermore, Mahama outlined his intentions to collaborate with the private sector to build new abattoirs and enhance existing facilities, ensuring they meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards and adhere to halal requirements. He pointed out that abattoirs in areas like Tulaku would benefit from these rehabilitation projects, which aim to provide hygienic, efficient, and religiously compliant meat processing solutions. By implementing halal standards, Mahama noted, these initiatives would benefit not only the Zongo residents but also the wider Muslim population across Ghana. This approach would ensure that meat processing aligns with religious expectations, thus contributing to both food security and public health.
Mahama stated, “We will follow through on our promise from 2020 to establish specialized facilities for the handling of bodies of Muslims who pass away, ensuring they are treated in accordance with Islamic rites. We will also enhance health facilities in Muslim communities with the necessary infrastructure, partnering with the private sector to build new abattoirs in places like Tulaku and upgrade existing ones to meet WHO standards and halal standards for meat and meat products.”
These initiatives underline Mahama’s broader commitment to fostering a society that values cultural inclusivity while promoting sustainable development in line with international health and safety standards. Through this approach, he seeks to uplift Ghana’s Zongo communities, ensuring that their unique needs are met in a way that respects their cultural identity and religious beliefs, while also integrating them into a national framework for health and infrastructural development.
