John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has once again stated his dedication to meeting the distinct health and infrastructural requirements of Ghana’s Zongo communities. He aims to provide culturally sensitive facilities and enhance health infrastructure in these areas.
During his speech at the Ghana National Muslims Conference closing ceremony in Accra on Sunday, October 27, Mahama shared his proposal to create dedicated facilities for handling the bodies of deceased Muslims following Islamic funeral traditions.
Mahama emphasized that this initiative is part of his commitment to prioritize the dignity and needs of Muslim communities, a promise he made during his 2020 campaign for national development.
Mahama stated that his administration is focused on establishing a dedicated facility for the Islamic handling of the deceased to ensure that burial procedures adhere to Islamic religious customs.
Mahama also announced that plans were underway to improve health services in Zongo communities by providing local health centers with state-of-the-art medical resources and infrastructure.
He stated that there are plans to work with the private sector in the construction of new abattoirs and improving current facilities to adhere to both WHO standards and halal guidelines.
He observed that by conducting rehabilitation projects in abattoirs located in communities like Tulaku, it would be possible to improve the hygiene, efficiency, and religious compliance of their meat processing operations.
Mahama believes that the emphasis on halal standards will not only benefit Zongo residents but also Ghana’s broader Muslim community. This will help ensure that meat processing aligns with religious requirements, ultimately improving food security and public health standards.
In 2020, we will fulfill our commitment to create designated areas for the respectful handling of deceased Muslims, ensuring that their Islamic rights are upheld. In addition to providing health facilities with necessary infrastructure in Muslim communities, we will collaborate with the private sector to construct new abattoirs in areas like Tulaku. Existing abattoirs will also be upgraded to meet World Health Organization guidelines and implement halal practices for the processing of meat and meat products.
