The Zongo Caucus of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) UK and Ireland Chapter joined the Zongo community in London to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr at the Ghana Muslim Welfare Centre.
This momentous occasion not only highlighted the deep cultural and religious roots of the Zongo people but also reaffirmed the commitment of the Caucus to strengthening its relationship with the community.
Zongo residents from across the UK and Ireland gathered in large numbers, filling West Green Road and the surrounding streets in North London. Adorned in colourful traditional Ghanaian Eid attire, the vibrant crowd showcased the multicultural dynamism that defines the Zongo community. The celebration served as both a religious observance and an opportunity for social unity.
Due to the cold weather, the Eid prayer was held in hourly intervals from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM inside the Ghana Muslim Welfare Centre(GMWC). Following the prayers, attendees indulged in an array of traditional Zongo cuisines, including TZ, Jollof, Coco, Banku, Wakey, and Brukina. These delicacies added a rich culinary dimension to the celebration, allowing guests to partake in the flavours that have long been a staple of Zongo festivities.
After performing the Zuhr congregational prayer, the Zongo Caucus delegation continued their community engagement efforts. A distinguished guest, Professor Jamilu Zarewa from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, delivered an insightful sermon. He emphasised key ethical principles, urging the community to eschew arrogance, which fosters false superiority, and greed, which breeds covetousness. Later, after the Asr prayer, he spoke on the importance of reflection in strengthening faith and one’s relationship with Allah.
Between the Asr and Maghrib prayers, the Zongo Caucus delegation formally met with the community’s religious and traditional leaders. This meeting underscored the Caucus’s commitment to fostering development and unity within the Zongo community.
The delegation was led by Comrade Awudu Sannie, a founding member of the Zongo Caucus and former Deputy Secretary of the UK and Ireland Chapter. Other notable members included Sister Mariam Mahama, West London Women’s Organizer; Hajia Fauzia Sorogho, South London Youth Organizer; Hajia Amshawu, Secretary of FOMWAG North London and Magajia of the Caucus; Brother Anyas, North London Organizer; Haj Ibrahim, Chief of North London Faila; Baba Alhaj and Sarki Nazifi of North London; along with several other dedicated members, both affiliated and non-affiliated with the NDC.
During the meeting, Comrade Awudu Sannie explained that the Zongo Caucus was established as a special-purpose unit within the NDC, facilitating a strong relationship between the party and the Zongo community. He emphasised that the Caucus ensures the party remains attuned to the specific needs of Zongo residents, leveraging first-hand insights to drive policies and development projects that reflect the community’s interests.
He highlighted previous development initiatives undertaken with the support of the Caucus and reassured the community that their concerns would remain a core priority. A key focus of this engagement was on empowering the youth, with the Caucus expressing a commitment to uniting the younger generation under a shared vision of preserving cultural and religious identity. To support this initiative, the Caucus donated a state-of-the-art sound system for community events and provided a substantial financial contribution.
The Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Comrade Issaka Sannie (Farakhan), extended his gratitude to the community for preserving their identity and fostering a sense of belonging, despite the challenges of diaspora life. He acknowledged his personal connection to the community and expressed confidence in the enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between the NDC and the Zongo people.
The delegation was warmly received by prominent leaders of the community, including Sarki Alhaji Baba Salih, Waziri Alhaji Masahud, Sarkin Fada Alhaji Babanyara Haidara, Alhaji Ridwanu Barraw, Alhaji Hussaini Gali, Alhaji Marafa Sarkin Europe, Saddawna Alhaji Abdul Malik, and several other dignitaries from the council of the palace of the chief.
Sarkin Fada, Haj Baaban Yara, accepted the contributions from the Caucus and expressed his appreciation for their unwavering support and presence within the community. He acknowledged the positive impact of their engagement and assured the Caucus of the community’s prayers for their continued success. He also took the opportunity to extend an invitation to His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, encouraging him to visit the community whenever he is in London.
The event was hailed as a resounding success, symbolising the deepening ties between the Zongo Caucus of NDC UK and Ireland and the broader Zongo community in the UK. As the celebration concluded, a renewed sense of unity, faith, and political engagement permeated the gathering, reinforcing the commitment to collective progress.
