Koforidua, June 3, GNA- The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama has called on residents of Zongos to be tolerant and accommodate divergent views.
He urged Zongo communities to come together to fight poverty which was the common enemy of their areas. Alhaji Mahama was speaking at the 40th day funeral rite of the late Chief Mohammed Mama Four and the installation of a new Wangara Chief of Koforidua at Koforidua Zongo on Sunday. Alhaji Prince Issifu Musa, 72, General Secretary of the Ghana Cattle Dealers Association was installed as the new Wangara Chief of Koforidua under the skin name, Alhaji Prince Issifu Kyeiba. He succeeds his uncle, Chief Mohammed Mama Four, who died 40 days ago.
Alhaji Mahama observed that, the government had done so much for the country and urged parents in the zongos to encourage their children to go to school so that, in future, the Zongos could also boast of highly qualified intellectuals in all fields. He expressed appreciation that the Wangara elders in Koforidua were able to select a successor to the late chief without any problem, because in many parts of the country, such selections had led to conflicts.
Alhaji Mahama therefore called on the people to cooperate and support the new chief so that he could bring his rich experience to bear on the development of the community.
The Easting Regional Minister, Mr. Yaw Barima urged the people of the zongo community not to limit their unity to only celebrations but to extend it to help bring development to their communities. He said the zongo communities had a lot to offer and urged the people to ensure the education of their children without sacrificing their religion.
In his welcoming address, Chief Alhaji Abu Adams, President of the Koforidua Council of Zongo Muslim Chiefs, expressed the appreciation of the chiefs and people of Koforidua Zongo to Col. George Minyila (rtd) for the construction of the zongo and the Vice-President for the provision of tarred roads which had made Koforidua Zongo the most beautiful in the country.
He said it was the wish of the new chief that the government would support cattle breeders in the country to undertake scientific cattle rearing to enhance the business in the country.
