Prominent Muslim cleric and Imam, Sheikh Abdul Malik Abdul Rahman Maiga, has called on Muslim leaders in Parliament and other stakeholders to take advantage of the ongoing constitutional review process to advocate for the rights and interests of Muslims in Ghana.
Addressing congregants during his Friday sermon at Kasoa, Sheikh Maiga, who also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the IMAM Malik Foundation, expressed concern over the marginalisation of Muslims in workplaces and schools, particularly regarding the free practice of Islamic doctrines.
“Many Muslims are unable to freely observe their religious obligations such as daily prayers, fasting, or wearing the hijab at their places of work and in educational institutions,” he stated. “This is largely because the practices of Islam are not adequately protected under the current 1992 Constitution.”
He urged Muslim leaders including politicians, Imams, chiefs, and opinion leaders in the Zango communities to see the constitutional amendment as a rare and urgent opportunity to press for changes that ensure religious freedom and the accommodation of Islamic practices in the country.
“This is a wake-up call for Muslim leadership in Ghana to come together and agree on concrete proposals to present to the President and constitutional review committee,” Sheikh Maiga said. “We must ensure the amended constitution reflects the rights and values of the Muslim Ummah.”
He emphasized that Ghana is a secular country and, therefore, all religious groups, including Muslims, must have an equal say in national decision-making processes, especially when it involves a review of the country’s foundational legal document.
Sheikh Maiga also raised concerns over what he described as the underreporting of Ghana’s Muslim population in national censuses. He questioned the accuracy of official figures, asserting that the number of Muslims in Ghana is significantly higher than reported.
“It is time Muslims consider conducting an independent population census. Many Muslim men are permitted to marry up to four wives and have large families, which means our population is likely underrepresented,” he explained.
The Imam stressed that accurate data is critical in determining national resource allocation and policy direction, and any undercount of the Muslim population could lead to continued marginalisation.
He concluded by calling for unity among Muslim communities, encouraging them to actively participate in the constitutional review process and other national conversations that shape the country’s future.
