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Eid-ul-Adha 2022 commemorated in style
• President Akufo-Addo exchanging pleasantries with Dr. Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu
Muslims across the country joined the much-anticipated Eid Al-Adha celebrations last weekend with many of them taking part in intercessory prayers for Allah to make their lives beautiful and meaningful.
The Black Star Square in Accra hosted hundreds of worshippers from various Muslim communities as the National Chief Imam, Dr. Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers and urged the public to remain peaceful and share the little they have with others.
President Akufo-Addo graced the occasion where he, among other things, pledged to deliver on the commitments made towards the development of the Muslim community.
Dressed in stylish and colourful outfit, the celebrants including children and women praised Allah for His blessings and protection throughout the years.
Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captured some worshippers carrying their children on horses as they arrived at the Square.
A handful of traders also tried to get some cash selling items before and after the prayers.
Some families and individuals also took to social media to flaunt their dresses which attracted positive reviews from well-wishers. It was again refreshing to see some Christians join their Muslim brothers in the celebration as some of them joked that they did not get their share of the ‘Sallah meat’.
In Arabic, EID AL-ADHA translates to “Festival of Sacrifice.” The holiday commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) when Allah commanded him to. Before Ibrahim could do so, Allah provided him with a ram to sacrifice in Ismail’s place.
As part of this year’s celebrations, hundreds of Muslims made the trip to Mecca. The first batch of about 400 pilgrims took off from Accra on June, 20, 2022.
The increasing cost of items, however, reflected in the prices of livestock as some people complained they were unable to buy sheep and goats for the celebrations. Nonetheless some benevolent organisations ensured there was enough meat for the less privileged who could not afford it.
Some families went to recreational centres in Accra to continue their celebration although different beaches recorded low patronage. In all, it was a peaceful event just as various groups were told to abide by the rules and regulations in the midst of the celebrations.
By Elizabeth Ackon & Pamela Davordzie
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
