News Guide Africa

Category: News

Eni CEO honoured with the Atlantic Council’s prestigious Distinguished Business Leadership Award

Eni CEO, Claudio Descalzi, has been conferred with the 2022 Distinguished Business Leadership Award from the Atlantic Council last week.

This prestigious honour was awarded for the “extraordinary role” he has assumed in the energy sector at an international level, for the technological transformation of the company aimed at complete decarbonisation by 2050 and for his contribution to the new challenge of Italian and European energy security.

This is the first time that an Italian representative has been honoured in the Business Leadership category. On the same evening, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi received the Distinguished International Leadership Award.

Introduced by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, United Arab Emirates Special Representative for Climate Change and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and in the presence of top leaders from the US political, economic and financial community, Claudio Descalzi commented: “I am honoured to receive this award right after our Prime Minister and I want to share it with all the people at Eni who, together with me, are making a great effort in contributing to ensure energy security in Italy and Europe at this time of great crisis. However, this is the time when we need to pursue the vital goal of a just transition to a zero-emission world with just as much effort. The challenges of climate change must coexist along this path with guaranteed widespread access to energy and the economic and social development of all communities. This is the just transition we believe in”.

Eni’s CEO received the award in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. During the ceremony, two additional awards were handed out, to the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award – for the first time ever awarded to an entire nation, honouring the Ukrainian people for their extraordinary courage and resilience – and to Ukrainian singer Jamala.

The Atlantic Council is a non-partisan organisation with a mission to “shape the global future together” and promote US leadership and engagement around the world, in collaboration with allies and partners, to shape solutions to global challenges. In the past, the Atlantic Council has recognised the leadership of personalities such as Ursula Von Der Leyen, José Manuel Barroso, Kristalina Georgieva, Christine Lagarde, George Bush, Ashraf Ghani, Hillary Clinton and Ban Ki-moon. The Distinguished Business Leadership Award was previously conferred on Albert Bourla (Pfizer), Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin (BioNTech), Frederick W. Smith (FedEx), Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Thomas Enders (Airbus).

May 19, 2022
Chamber of Agribusiness wants Agric Minister to resign over sector woes

The Chamber of Agribusiness is demanding the resignation of the Minister for agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto for his failure to address key challenges facing the sector.

The chamber is threatening to embark on a strike followed by a demonstration if the ministry does not the minister does not resign.

Although many industry players have suggested ways by which the government can help bring some relief to them and Ghanaians in general, their calls have fallen on deaf ears.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is blaming the struggles of the industry on the poor performance of the sector minister. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and is hence calling for his resignation.

Anthony Morrison is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber.

“Calling on the minister to step down is not just calculated on his personality. Three weeks ago, he gave permit for the export of soya and maize. What data informed his decision? Why do you bring in a ban when we are now going into the production season? If someone is bringing investment into the sector and there’s a ban, the person is going to think twice.”

He continued, “Access to fertilizer also remains a challenge. One would have expected that the minister will negotiate with other stakeholders to put in place a credit like that will give fertilizer and feed importers some credit facilities to import these fertilizer easily. But he is not thinking of how to mitigate our food security.”

“The Chamber is talking to other major players in the industry. We have provided enough information, advice and advocacy for the Ministry to take action. The Chamber and its strategic partners will convene a meeting in the coming week. If that is not adhered to, there’ll be a strike. There’ll be a demonstration in the country for the first time where farmers will come and join hands with processors and other value chain players and demonstrate against this Minister,” Mr. Morrison said.

Ghana’s agriculture sector has for years now been fraught with many challenges, as there have been shortages of several feed ingredients including maize, wheat bran and soya bean, particularly for the poultry sector, due to exports to neighbouring countries coupled with exorbitant prices slapped on these items.

The issue of fertilizer shortage, the menace of fertiliser smuggling and delay of payment to fertiliser distributors under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme has also created dire consequences for the over-1.5 million farmers under the programme.

The recent Russian-Ukraine war has worsened the situation, as the distortion in the global food value chain has led to a high inflation rate with food inflation as a major driver.

Many players in the agric sector have warned of looming food shortage if the domestic issues especially are not tackled and have suggested ways by which they can be looked at but to no avail.

Although the government has maintained that it is working hard to check these problems, the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is of the stance that the sector Minister is responsible for their woes.

According to the chamber, the agricultural sector has become worse off under the Minister’s leadership and wants him to step down.

“We think that the Minister should humbly resign so that we can get someone else who’ll come with ideas as to where we should go as an industry so that we’ll all rally around him and push the growth of the industry,” Anthony Morrison told Citi Business News.

May 19, 2022
Analysts react to ECG/GWCL tariffs adjustment proposal

Adnan Adams Mohammed

Some policy analysts have reacted to the proposal from the utility service providers for the Public Utilities Regulatory Committee (PURC) to increase tariffs.

The Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Water Company Limited have proposed an astronomic increase in tariffs for the year 2022. ECG is demanding a 148% increase in electricity tariff, whilst the Ghana Water Company Limited wants 334%.

This has ignited a heated debated among Ghanaians including experts. Among the analysts who have reacted to the proposals is, Dr. Steve Manteaw. He has described the demand of increase in electricity and water tariffs as justifiable, saying, there is a strong basis for an upward adjustment, despite the inefficiencies of the utility firms. According to him, factors such as inflation and exchange rate losses justify the upward increment.

“There is a strong basis for an upward adjustment; if you look at inflation rate, if you look at the cedi depreciation and all that. But what the companies haven’t told us is what component is made up of transmission losses and commercial losses. These are categorised us inefficiency cost”, The Executive Director of ISODEC said in an interview last week.

“PURC has the mandate to ensure that inefficiency cost are not passed onto consumers. Of course to deal with inefficiencies, you need to make investments, but you don’t make investments from tariffs”, Dr. Manteaw expatiated.

But, a Political Scientist and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has questioned the proposal.

Reacting to the proposed in a Facebook post, last week, he said: “You cannot propose an increment in utility bills across the board like that, at this time when the poor has already been hit hard.”

He, therefore, wants “only article 71 officeholders, who have, but don’t pay, pay for such hikes,” to be made to pay the proposed increase by the utility service providers and “Leave the poor alone!”

Apparently, a policy Think tank, Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International, has backed the push for a review of utility tariffs by the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Ghana Water Company Limited.

The think tank, however, maintains that there is the need to speedily address the inefficiencies within the system to make the companies sustainable.

West Africa Regional Director for CUTS International, Appiah – Kusi Adomako, speaking in an interview explained that; “I support the principle that tariffs need to go up to make ECG able to fulfil its mandate. If ECG is deprived of increment, what it means is that ECG may not be able to invest. And we are told that most of the cables and other things are old and need replacement, or we might go back to the dumsor era. Water is also justifiable because the water company buys chemicals. These chemicals are imported into the country. Freight prices have also gone up, exchange rate has also gone up and even the cost of buying those items have also gone up between the last time tariffs were increased. So, we need to allow these firms to be able to get some increment so that the business will be sustainable. When it is sustainable, people will find them attractive to invest in,” he said.

Furthering his argument, Dr Manteaw noted that, in normal business practices, shareholders are mandated to inject capital into the business with regard to equipment renewal and all the capital investments needed.

“The shareholders in this case is the republic (government) and therefore we have to finance these major equipment renewal and maintenance activities from our taxes. They must be budgeted for through the budget and then in terms of the daily operations, you can actually finance through the taxes”, he added.

He said the package given to Aqua Vitens Rand were far more and better conditioned than those given to Ghanaian entities, adding, “I do recall when we went through ECG privatization, we were prepared to do for PDS what we were not prepared to do for our Ghanaian managers”.

For instance, he pointed out “when PDS took over, they asked that all the debts ECG had at the time were to be re-fenced. So it were not part of the account because those were legacy debts…they were not responsible. But we are not prepared to re-fenced for the old ECG”.

“Again, a year before PDS took over, we had denied ECG tariff adjustment (upward adjustment). But when PDS took over, we gladly approved upward adjustment for PDS”, he added.

Furthermore, Dr. Manteaw said “I tend to look at our utility companies sympathetically, a reason being that they really work under severe stress. And the conditions under which they work are not the type that any foreign multinational company will want to work under.”

“I recall we brought in Aqua Vitens Rand, we improve water distribution in this country and by the time we abrogated – we actually refused to renew that contract – we had the phenomenon known as the Kufuor gallons. When the facility reverted to the Ghanaian manager, the gallons disappeared”, he stressed.

In the proposal, ECG also wants 7.6% average adjustments between the periods of 2023 to 2026.

The GWCL argues that while the average tariff per cubic metre in 2019 was 1.27 USD, it was reduced to USD 1.13 as a result of cedi depreciation.

For the GWCL, the current domestic tariff of GHS3.29 per cubic metre to consumers within 0-5 cubic metres is less than what the poor in rural areas pay, which is about 10 cedis.

The water company thus wants a 334% tariff hike.

May 17, 2022
Gov’t plans to restructure domestic debt

Adnan Adams Mohammed

The government plans to restructure its domestic debt component of the total public debt of GH¢351.8 billion, which is 80.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), at the end of December 2021.

Figures from the Bank of Ghana indicates that, the domestic debt stood at GH¢181.8 billion as at December 2021, equivalent to 41.4 of GDP, while the external component of the total public debt shot up to US$28.3 billion or GH¢170.0 billion.

The Finance Minister speaking to a gathering in Accra, last week, to announce government’s support and programmes for the upcoming 2022 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank to be held in Accra later this month, posited that, the issue of restructuring Ghana’s debt was a complicated one, especially the Eurobond and the private sector loans.

“The issue of restructuring debt is a very complicated issue especially with the private sector and the Eurobond etc. We need to decide among ourselves on what type of structure that will be useful to us. We have essentially about 50/50 with regards to domestic and external debt”, Ken Ofori-Atta expressed.

“The domestic debt of course has interest rates of about three and half times what the foreign debt has. And then we look at the profile and clearly the foreign debt in terms of the impact really begins to hit in 2025 with regards to our Eurobonds etc.”

To him, solving the domestic debt conundrum should be tackled immediately.

“So solving the domestic debt conundrum is what we should be looking at and that is where we are putting our minds as to how best to do that”.

On the rising inflation Mr. Ofori-Atta pointed out that though the situation is a global one, government is committed to building an entrepreneurial society to trade among themselves and reduce imported inflation.

May 17, 2022
Gov’t declares ‘No IMF bailout’..It’s positive with economic development

Adnan Adams Mohammed

The Akufo Addo/Bawumia administration have resoundingly affirmed their unwillingness to seek any bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite the dire economic conditions of the country.

According to Finance Minister, although the economy is in difficulties now, he believes the it is heading in the right direction, and therefore government will find alternative ways of refinancing the country’s debt.

The pronouncement was made when, the minister announced government’s support and programmes for the upcoming 2022 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank, here in Accra this month. Mr. Ofori-Atta said government is intervening with policies to strengthen the economy.

“We have committed not to going back to the Fund because in terms of interventions of policy, we are right there and the Fund knows that we are completely in the right direction”, Ken Ofori-Atta reiterated government’s commitment of not seeking assistance from the IMF. “And so the issue is validating the programme that we are putting in place and then in my view supporting us to find an alternative ways to refinance or reprofiling our debt without needing to be with the Fund.”

“I think is a general acknowledgement that should be the first point of call and we are doing it”, he stressed.

Mr. Ofori-Atta in March 2022 announced sweeping spending cuts to reduce the fiscal deficit, contain rising inflation and slow the cedi’s slide, with the country facing a looming debt crisis.

This is coming on the back of rising inflation, the relatively weak cedi and downgrade of the country’s credit worthiness by rating agencies.

May 17, 2022
Inflation to worsen further

By Elorm Desewu

Year on year inflation is expected to worsen further in the coming months in the wake of the decision by the Public Utility Regulation Commission to hike tariffs of electricity and water as well as increase in transport fares by the transport operators in the country.

The Electricity Company of Ghana and the Ghana Water Company have proposed a tariff hike for consumers between of 148 and 334 percent respectively while the transport operators have kicked start with their 20 percent increase in transport fares across the country.

This is expected to impact heavily on the non-food inflation which would trigger a further rise in year on year inflation.

The current development would pose a headache to the seven member committee of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as they commence their bimonthly review of the economy this week.

Already, the MPC has revised it medium term inflation target of 8+/-2 to March 2023.

The Bank of Ghana announced some measures in April this year in relation to universal banks, in attempt to anchor inflation. These include, the Cash Reserve Ratio was increased to 12 percent; the Capital Conservation Buffer was reset to the pre-pandemic level of 3 percent, making the Capital Adequacy Ratio a total of 13 percent; and the provisioning rate for loans in the Other Loans Exceptionally Mentioned (OLEM) category was reset to the pre-pandemic level of 10 percent.

But recent figures from the Ghana Statistical Service, (GSS) depict that year on year inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index, (CPI) increased significantly to 23.6 percent for the 12-months period ended April, 2022 from 19.4 percent in March, 2022.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service, “four divisions – transport (33.5%); household equipment and routine maintenance (28.5%); food and non-alcoholic beverages (25.6%), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (25.0%) recorded inflation rates above the national average of 23.6% with transport recording the highest inflation.”

National month-on-month inflation from March 2022 to April 2022 was 5.1%.

It also noted that this is the first time in 29 months that inflation for imported items exceeded domestic inflation. Whilst inflation for locally produced items was 23.0%, inflation for imported items was 24.7%.

“The inflation for imported goods is higher than the 17.3% recorded for March 2022 while the inflation for locally produced items is 23.0% higher than the 20.0% recorded in March 2022.”

Whilst Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages inflation was 26.6%, Non-Food inflation stood at 21.3%.

April 2022’s food inflation of 26.6% is higher than both food inflation for March 2022 (22.4%) and the average of the previous 12 months (13.5%).

Food inflation’s contribution to total inflation however, decreased from 51.4% in March 2022 to 50.0% in April 2022.

All the 15 food subclasses recorded positive month-on-month inflation with Fruit and Vegetable Juices recording the highest of 15.3%.

Non-food year-on-year inflation on average went up again in April 2022 compared to March 2022, that is from 17.0% to 21.3%. Only one out of the 12 Non-food Divisions had the 12 months rolling average to be higher than the year-on-year inflation for April 2022 for the divisions. Transport is the Division that recorded the highest inflation in April 2022 (33.5%).

There is a high expectation that the MPC would again hike the policy rate further to stem the rising inflation.

May 17, 2022
Punish Perpetrators Of Nigeria ‘Religious Killing’ Of A Lady Severely To Serve Deterrent In Future

Author: Adnan Adams Mohammed

Executive Director, MUYAD Social Services

+233244653664/+233599838798

Adamsadnan19@gmail.com

The executive committee of MUYAD Social Services (MSS) and the global Muslim community wake up yesterday to a sad and unaccepted act of ‘murder’ of an innocent soul of a Nigerian lady who is a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education.

The lady, known as Deborah Yakubu, was lynched and set ablaze to burn by religious fanatics, who rather call themselves Muslims.

The act is rather against Islamic teachings, and therefore they never acted for a religious but for their unguided personal fanatisms which needs to be outrightly condemned by every well meaning Muslim guided by the true teachings of the Qur’an and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Islam is against, any action of judgement without being justified or verdict given by ‘COMPETENT JURISTS’ as selected or appointed by an Islamic authority to as preservers of ‘JUSTICE’.

From the information gathered so far, the ignorant and bloodstained individuals who call themselves Muslims took the law into their hands and acted ‘foolishly’ without justification from any aspect of the Islamic teachings.

The slained innocent lady never fought them, nor drove them out of their homes. It was rather an argument. And in Islam, argument or debate with wisdom with purpose to call others to Islam is highly accepted and the strongest form of Daawah and jihad.

So if the lady had said something which is not right according to Islamic teachings, then it only need a person/Muslim with wisdom to educate and correct her, by so, maybe she could have accepted Islam if she had better understanding of Islam from the better explanation.

But, for the ignorant bundits of fanatics calling themselves Muslims who took the law of Islam (sharia) and that of land of Nigeria into their hands to kill the level 200 students is unfortunate and highly condemnable. Justice is needed for Deborah Yakubu’s soul.

Islam is against extremism and violence and thereby never support any form of physical attack or killing of any soul.

Islam rather preserves HUMANITY and JUSTICE for every human being, regardless of their religious faith.

Allah warned in the Quran murder of any soul by sinful human beings like us. The Holy Quran (which are direct words of Allah, the Owner of Islam) in no way justifies murder; it unequivocally states, “Whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind” (5:32). Such acts of violence are condemned in the Quran and by the Prophet Muhammad time and time again as will be quoted in many hadiths below.

Sultan of Sokoto

We at MUYAD Social Services expresses satisfaction at the speed at which the Sultan of Sokoto condemned the ‘barbaric’ act against a colleague student.

“The Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III also condemned the extrajudicial killing of the student, calling on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happenings at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, (SSCOE) Sokoto, that led to the loss of life of a female student of the Institution.

“The Sultanate Council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.

Islamic view of humanity

The Islamic view of humanity is filled with mercy and compassion, and it cannot be otherwise, because the Islamic religion is the last of the religions that were prescribed by Allah, may He be exalted, and He commanded all of mankind to enter this religion. He revealed this religion and sent it down to the most compassionate of mankind, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This is confirmed in the Book of Allah, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [al-Anbiya 21:107].

How to treat non-Muslims

1- With regard to that, there are commands in the Quran and Sunnah to the Muslims, instructing them to call people to affirm the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid ), and to offer their wealth, time and selves for that purpose.

This is only out of compassion and mercy towards all people, so as to save them from worshipping people and calling them to worship the Lord of all people; to save them from the constraints of this world and bring them to the abundance of this world and the Hereafter. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful.” [Al `Imran 3:104]

2- Showing kindness to parents even if they are non-Muslims and even if they (parents) were to try hard to keep their children away from Islam and tell them to associate others with Allah and to disbelieve. Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.

But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.” [Luqman 31:14-15]

2- Islam advises us to treat neighbours kindly , even if they are not Muslim. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful.” (An-Nisa’ 4:36)

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

I say: based on that, kind treatment of neighbours is enjoined and is recommended, whether they are Muslim or not. And this is the right thing to do. Kind treatment may be in the sense of helping or it may be in the sense of being kind, refraining from annoyance and standing by them. Al-Bukhari narrated from ‘Aishah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Jibril kept urging me to treat neighbours kindly until I thought that he would make them heirs.” And it was narrated from Abu Shurayh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is that? He said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his annoyance.” This is general in meaning and applies to all neighbours, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) affirmed that the neighbour should not be annoyed by swearing three times and stating that the one who annoys his neighbour is not a believer in the complete sense. So the believer should avoid annoying his neighbour and refrain from doing what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; he should strive to do that which pleases Him and encourage others to do likewise.

4- Ensuring justice and showing kindness to non-Muslims who are not fighting Muslims.

Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

“In other words, Allah does not forbid you to be kind, uphold ties, return favours and be fair towards the mushrikeen (polytheists), whether they are relatives and others, so long as they are not fighting you because of your religion or seeking to drive you out of your homes.

So there is nothing wrong with you upholding ties with them, because upholding ties with them in this case does not involve anything that may lead to negative consequences.” (Tafsir al-Sa’di, p. 856)

5- Islam prohibits killing non-Muslims living under Muslim rule.

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahid (a non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance may be detected from a distance of forty years.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2995

“What is meant is one who has a deal with the Muslims, whether that is by paying jizyah or a peace treaty with the Muslim ruler or a guarantee of safety from a Muslim.” (Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar, 12:259)

6- Islam prohibits wronging a mu‘ahid, detracting from his rights, or burdening him with more work.

There is a hadith that speaks of that. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If anyone wrongs a mu‘ahid, detracts from his rights, burdens him with more work than he is able to do or takes something from him without his consent, I will plead for him (the mu‘ahid) on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Abu Dawud, 3052; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Saheeh Abi Dawud.

“If any non-Muslim come to our country for work or business, and has permission (from the authorities), he is either a mu‘ahid (one who has a treaty with the Muslims) or a mustamin (one who has been granted security by the Muslims). So it is not permissible to transgress against him. It is proven that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahid will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.” We are Muslims who submit to the command of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and we respect those whom Islam instructs us to respect of those who have treaties and guarantees of security. Whoever transgresses against them has misrepresented Islam and has given Islam an image of terrorism, treachery and betrayal. The one who adheres to the rulings of Islam and respects treaties and covenants is one for whom it is hoped that he will do well and succeed.” (Fatawa Ibn Uthaymin, 15:493)

7- Islam prohibits committing transgression and commands justice.

Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid al-Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part).” [al-Maidah 5:2]

“and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety.” [al-Maidah 5:8].

“Look at what these verses contain of noble characteristics and the command to respond to the one who disobeys Allah concerning you by obeying Allah concerning him.” (Adwa al-Bayan by Al-Shinqiti 3:50)

Conclusion

We call on the security agencies and the judicial service in Nigeria to act swift to arrest persecute perpetrators of inhumane act to serve JUSTICE to the soul of Deborah Yakubu.

May 17, 2022
MUYAD Social Services Condemns And Calls For Severe Punishment For Perpetrators Of Nigeria ‘Religious Killing’

Press Release

14/05/2022

Attention: News Editors

MUYAD Social Services Condemns And Calls For Severe Punishment For Perpetrators Of Nigeria ‘Religious Killing’ Of A Lady To Serve Deterrent In Future

The executive committee of MUYAD Social Services (MSS) and the global Muslim community wake up yesterday to a sad and unaccepted act of ‘murder’ of an innocent soul of a Nigerian lady who is a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education.

The lady, known as Deborah Yakubu, was lynched and set ablaze to burn by religious fanatics, who rather call themselves Muslims.

The act is rather against Islamic teachings, and therefore they never acted for a religious but for their unguided personal fanatisms which needs to be outrightly condemned by every well meaning Muslim guided by the true teachings of the Qur’an and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Islam is against, any action of judgement without being justified or verdict given by ‘COMPETENT JURISTS’ as selected or appointed by an Islamic authority to as preservers of ‘JUSTICE’.

From the information gathered so far, the ignorant and bloodstained individuals who call themselves Muslims took the law into their hands and acted ‘foolishly’ without justification from any aspect of the Islamic teachings.

The slained innocent lady never fought them, nor drove them out of their homes. It was rather an argument. And in Islam, argument or debate with wisdom with purpose to call others to Islam is highly accepted and the strongest form of Daawah and jihad.

So if the lady had said something which is not right according to Islamic teachings, then it only need a person/Muslim with wisdom to educate and correct her, by so, maybe she could have accepted Islam if she had better understanding of Islam from the better explanation.

But, for the ignorant bundits of fanatics calling themselves Muslims who took the law of Islam (sharia) and that of land of Nigeria into their hands to kill the level 200 students is unfortunate and highly condemnable. Justice is needed for Deborah Yakubu’s soul.

Islam is against extremism and violence and thereby never support any form of physical attack or killing of any soul.

Islam rather preserves HUMANITY and JUSTICE for every human being, regardless of their religious faith.

Allah warned in the Quran murder of any soul by sinful human beings like us. The Holy Quran (which are direct words of Allah, the Owner of Islam) in no way justifies murder; it unequivocally states, “Whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind” (5:32). Such acts of violence are condemned in the Quran and by the Prophet Muhammad time and time again as will be quoted in many hadiths below.

Sultan of Sokoto

We at MUYAD Social Services expresses satisfaction at the speed at which the Sultan of Sokoto condemned the ‘barbaric’ act against a colleague student.

“The Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III also condemned the extrajudicial killing of the student, calling on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.

“The Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happenings at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, (SSCOE) Sokoto, that led to the loss of life of a female student of the Institution.

“The Sultanate Council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice.

Islamic view of humanity

The Islamic view of humanity is filled with mercy and compassion, and it cannot be otherwise, because the Islamic religion is the last of the religions that were prescribed by Allah, may He be exalted, and He commanded all of mankind to enter this religion. He revealed this religion and sent it down to the most compassionate of mankind, Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). This is confirmed in the Book of Allah, where He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [al-Anbiya 21:107].

How to treat non-Muslims

1- With regard to that, there are commands in the Quran and Sunnah to the Muslims, instructing them to call people to affirm the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid ), and to offer their wealth, time and selves for that purpose.

This is only out of compassion and mercy towards all people, so as to save them from worshipping people and calling them to worship the Lord of all people; to save them from the constraints of this world and bring them to the abundance of this world and the Hereafter. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful.” [Al `Imran 3:104]

2- Showing kindness to parents even if they are non-Muslims and even if they (parents) were to try hard to keep their children away from Islam and tell them to associate others with Allah and to disbelieve. Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.

But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.” [Luqman 31:14-15]

2- Islam advises us to treat neighbours kindly , even if they are not Muslim. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful.” (An-Nisa’ 4:36)

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

I say: based on that, kind treatment of neighbours is enjoined and is recommended, whether they are Muslim or not. And this is the right thing to do. Kind treatment may be in the sense of helping or it may be in the sense of being kind, refraining from annoyance and standing by them. Al-Bukhari narrated from ‘Aishah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Jibril kept urging me to treat neighbours kindly until I thought that he would make them heirs.” And it was narrated from Abu Shurayh that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is that? He said: “The one whose neighbour is not safe from his annoyance.” This is general in meaning and applies to all neighbours, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) affirmed that the neighbour should not be annoyed by swearing three times and stating that the one who annoys his neighbour is not a believer in the complete sense. So the believer should avoid annoying his neighbour and refrain from doing what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; he should strive to do that which pleases Him and encourage others to do likewise.

4- Ensuring justice and showing kindness to non-Muslims who are not fighting Muslims.

Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

“In other words, Allah does not forbid you to be kind, uphold ties, return favours and be fair towards the mushrikeen (polytheists), whether they are relatives and others, so long as they are not fighting you because of your religion or seeking to drive you out of your homes.

So there is nothing wrong with you upholding ties with them, because upholding ties with them in this case does not involve anything that may lead to negative consequences.” (Tafsir al-Sa’di, p. 856)

5- Islam prohibits killing non-Muslims living under Muslim rule.

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahid (a non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance may be detected from a distance of forty years.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2995

“What is meant is one who has a deal with the Muslims, whether that is by paying jizyah or a peace treaty with the Muslim ruler or a guarantee of safety from a Muslim.” (Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar, 12:259)

6- Islam prohibits wronging a mu‘ahid, detracting from his rights, or burdening him with more work.

There is a hadith that speaks of that. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If anyone wrongs a mu‘ahid, detracts from his rights, burdens him with more work than he is able to do or takes something from him without his consent, I will plead for him (the mu‘ahid) on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Abu Dawud, 3052; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Saheeh Abi Dawud.

“If any non-Muslim come to our country for work or business, and has permission (from the authorities), he is either a mu‘ahid (one who has a treaty with the Muslims) or a mustamin (one who has been granted security by the Muslims). So it is not permissible to transgress against him. It is proven that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a mu‘ahid will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.” We are Muslims who submit to the command of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and we respect those whom Islam instructs us to respect of those who have treaties and guarantees of security. Whoever transgresses against them has misrepresented Islam and has given Islam an image of terrorism, treachery and betrayal. The one who adheres to the rulings of Islam and respects treaties and covenants is one for whom it is hoped that he will do well and succeed.” (Fatawa Ibn Uthaymin, 15:493)

7- Islam prohibits committing transgression and commands justice.

Concerning that Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid al-Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part).” [al-Maidah 5:2]

“and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety.” [al-Maidah 5:8].

“Look at what these verses contain of noble characteristics and the command to respond to the one who disobeys Allah concerning you by obeying Allah concerning him.” (Adwa al-Bayan by Al-Shinqiti 3:50)

Conclusion

We call on the security agencies and the judicial service in Nigeria to act swift to arrest persecute perpetrators of inhumane act to serve JUSTICE to the soul of Deborah Yakubu.

Signed

Adnan Adams

Executive Director, MUYAD Social Services

+233244653664/+233599838798

May 17, 2022
Bissa community of New Bortianor celebrates Sardawna anniversary

First to be enstooled as the Sardawna Of New Bortianor and Bissa Chief of Bortianor & New Weija Traditional Area, His Royal Highness Kir/Sarki Suallah Saeed Sare, Bissa Emir (I), has celebrated his one year anniversary.

He ascended the throne of Sardawna on April 2nd & BISSA CHIEF on May 5th, 2021, due to his hard work, peace loving, dedication, commitment and support to his community.

The Chief who doubles as CEO of Soft Hill Estates Africa marked his one year anniversary with the people of New Bortianor & New Weija, last week.

The people have expressed joy over the positive change and progress that he has brought to the Bortianor towns and villages. Many were those who described the Sardawna as a philanthropist with the heart of Gold.

CHIEF / CEO Of Soft Hill Estates Africa, known in his private life as ALHAJI SUALLAH SAEED SARE as part of his efforts to ensure massive progress and unity within the slums in the country he has single-handedly launch exercise books distribution initiatives that seek to brings

education for the less privileged in the country ,

Sarki’s team has commenced the distribution of several exercise books to students across the country.

The initiative comes under the directive of the Sardawna SUALLAH SAEED SARE Bissa Emir I, ‘Education For All Support Program’ which seeks to provide support to students from less privileged schools in the country.

Currently the chief for the (EFASP), Sardawna pledges to facilitate and ensure the distribution will be region by region according to their team schedules frameworks

This and among others have been the topmost priority of SARDAWNA SUALLAH SAEED I. He has been applauded by many for fulfilling his promise in just a year.

He promised to do more for the youth since they are the bedrock of every great society. He has decided to empower more youth through education, skills development and sporting activities to prepare them for the future.

May 11, 2022
About 3000 Ghanaians permitted to perform Hajj this year

PRESS STATEMENT

10-05-2022

GHANA’S HAJJ QUOTA PEGGED AT 3,069

The Saudi Arabia Ministry for Hajj and Umrah has announced that Ghana’s quota for this year’s hajj is 3,069 pilgrims.

This was made known by the Chairman of the Hajj Board Sheikh I C Quaye at a meeting with members of Hajj Agents Association of Ghana.

The Chairman during the meeting also said intending pilgrims above 65 years of age will not be allowed into Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

The Saudis have also hinted that this year’s Hajj will be expensive for three main reasons the increment of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five (5) to fifteen (15) percent and demolition and reconstruction of buildings and hotels in Macca. The last but not the least was the huge investment made in Mina and Arafat.

On health Chairman I C Quaye added that the Saudis have also put in place strict health control measures during the Hajj period from 7th – 12th July 2022.These measures are Hajj requirements and rules as follows:

Age limit & testing requirements

Hajj will be available this year for those under 65 years of age, provided that they obtain the basic doses of vaccines approved in the Kingdom and they must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Kingdom.

Vaccination requirements

Pilgrims must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the complete doses of the following vaccines to be able to enter Saudi Arabia:

• Pfizer/BioNTech. 2 doses

• Oxford/AstraZeneca: 2 doses

• Johnson and Johnson. 1 dose

• Moderna. 2 doses

• Sinopharm + 1 dose of any of the above vaccines

• Sinovac + 1 dose of 1 of any of the above vaccines

Quarantine requirements

No quarantine will be necessary for foreign pilgrims fully vaccinated with vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia.

Medical Insurance

Pilgrims must have medical insurance to cover any COVID-19 related treatment costs during their stay.

Permit

Worshippers are no longer required to obtain a permit and appointment to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

E-Hajj

All intending pilgrims must be registered online through e-hajj. The e-track was already active.

The Hajj Board is to conclude all arrangements with service providers by the middle of May 2022. In this regard a delegation led by the Chairman is leaving for Saudi Arabia for further negotiations on housing, transport, medical, flight and other services.

Contact:

Dr. (Alhaji) Abubakari Sidick Ahmed

Director of Communications

Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana

(PAOG)

May 11, 2022