Gov’t Move To End Zango Indigeneity Discrimination Welcomed

The Chairman of the Muslim Peace and Reconciliation Committee in the Ashanti Region, Sheikh Mohammed Ridwan, has welcomed the government’s decision to address discrimination based on hometown or indigeneity through legislation.

He described the move as a significant step towards addressing what he considers a longstanding injustice affecting many residents of Zango communities across Ghana.

The government’s position paper on the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee proposes that protection against discrimination based on hometown or indigeneity be dealt with through a Comprehensive Human Rights Act.

According to Sheikh Ridwan, the proposed legislation could help resolve challenges faced by many Zango residents who cannot identify an ancestral or indigenous hometown.

He said the memoranda submitted during the constitutional review process were based on the principle that every Ghanaian citizen should enjoy equal treatment and access to public services regardless of ancestry, hometown or ethnic origin.

He noted that the issue was particularly relevant to the acquisition and use of official documents such as the Ghana Card and passport.

Sheikh Ridwan expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Cabinet for giving serious consideration to the concerns raised by affected citizens.

He also commended the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, as well as its Secretary, Dr. Rainer Akumperigya, and members Madam Charlotte Osei and Alhaji Osman Amin, for the attention given to the memoranda.

Call For Urgent Action

Sheikh Ridwan has called on the government to treat the proposed legislation as a matter of urgency as the constitutional review process moves into its implementation phase.

He also appealed to Parliament to give the eventual Bill prompt and favourable consideration to ensure clear and enforceable protection against discrimination based on hometown or indigeneity.

He said the legislation would bring relief to Zango communities across Ghana, including Fulanis, Hausas, Mossis and other groups whose members have lived in Ghana for generations and contributed to the country’s development.

“Our demand has always been simple: equal citizenship, equal dignity and equal protection under Ghanaian law. We are not asking for privileges; we are asking for justice and equality,” Sheikh Ridwan said.