President John Dramani Mahama has used the occasion of Eid al-Adha to call for global peace and unity, urging Ghanaians to pray for conflict-stricken areas, including Bawku (Ghana), Sudan, Ukraine, and Russia.
“Let us walk together in hope and never forget that Ghana belongs to all of us and not just a few,” President Mahama stated during the national Eid al-Adha prayers held at the Black Star Square in Accra.
He emphasized that Eid al-Adha is not only about physical sacrifice but also about compassion, sharing, and a sense of community.
“For those who are fortunate enough to sacrifice an animal, remember that the meat must be divided into three parts: one for your family, one for friends and neighbours, and one for the poor,” he explained. “This is the spirit of Islam—generosity, social responsibility, and love for one another.”
He encouraged Muslims to go beyond giving food and reach out to those in need with kindness, support, and presence of mind.
Ghana, he said, would reach its full potential when citizens showed care for each other across all faiths and backgrounds in a spirit of national unity and brotherhood.
High Cost of Hajj
On the issue of Hajj, President Mahama acknowledged the financial burden the pilgrimage continues to place on Muslim families.
“This year, despite our efforts, the cost remains high, even though we reduced it. But I want to assure you that we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts,” he said.
He expressed optimism that if the Ghana cedi continued its recent appreciation, next year’s Hajj fare would drop significantly.
“In fact, if pilgrims were traveling at today’s exchange rate, the Hajj fare would be around GH₵45,000,” he revealed.
New Public Holiday and Support for Islamic Education
Responding to long-standing requests from the Muslim community, the President announced plans to officially make Eid al-Fitr a statutory public holiday.
“We have prepared a Bill to designate Eid al-Fitr as a public holiday. It will soon be laid before Parliament,” he said, noting that once passed and assented to, it would no longer require annual declaration by Executive Instrument.
President Mahama also outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening Islamic education in Ghana. He said the Minister of Education had been directed to engage with the Islamic Education Unit to enhance operations and expand the recruitment and training of qualified Arabic instructors nationwide.
He added that construction work would soon resume on all abandoned infrastructure projects at the Al-Faruq College of Education in Wenchi, which would become a key institution for training professional teachers in the Islamic education framework.
Scholarships for Muslim Students
In addition, the President announced that he had tasked the Director-General of the Scholarship Secretariat to develop a dedicated support programme for Muslim students pursuing higher education in critical fields such as medicine, law, ICT, engineering, and the social sciences.
“This is part of our broader equity agenda to empower all segments of Ghanaian society to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.