Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Ghana Calls on UEW Management
A ten-member delegation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, led by the Ameer, Alhajj Maulvi Muhammad Noor Bin Salih, in a display of collaboration and shared values, has paid a courtesy call on the Management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).
The meeting, which took place at the Council Chamber of UEW, North Campus, was purposed to forge a strong partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of education for Ghanaian citizens and expatriates alike.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, in his welcome speech, highlighted UEW's crucial role in training educators for all levels of education across Ghana and beyond. He lauded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission for its steadfast advocacy of global peaceful coexistence, emphasising the importance of religious harmony and cooperation in today's world.
"One important thing about all religions is to preach peace and peaceful coexistence among peoples. That is what God expects from us. Any religion that does not seek to empower its people is a false religion, and so I am extremely happy with you visiting us today," Prof. Mitchual noted.
The Vice-Chancellor also praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission for its significant contributions to Ghana's economy, including the construction of hospitals, the provision of scholarships to Ahmadiyya students, and the establishment of approximately 400 schools. He assured the delegation that UEW Management was fully committed to supporting any educational initiatives that would be mutually beneficial.
Alhajj Maulvi Muhammad Noor, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana and leader of the delegation emphasised the need for the Mission and its leadership to formally introduce themselves to the UEW Management. He stressed the shared commitment to education as a common ground between the Mission and the university and reiterated the Mission's ongoing dedication to promoting global peace.
Maulvi Muhammed Noor also took the opportunity to recount the Mission's century-old legacy in education in Ghana, citing the establishment of their first secular school in Saltpond as evidence that Islam and secular education can go hand in hand.
"We have a college of education. In fact, it happened to be the first Muslim teacher-training college at the time. It has now been upgraded to a college of education. We're under the mentorship of your university but at some point in time, we were ceded to the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), we guess based on some internal arrangements between the two universities," he explained.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Antwi, a beneficiary of Ahmadiyya School himself, spoke highly of the mission's tolerant and inclusive nature towards individuals of all backgrounds and religions. He praised their cooperation and willingness to accept final-year UEW students for internships at the mission's various schools.
Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, the Principal of the College for Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) at UEW, made a heartfelt plea for collaboration. He requested that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission consider partnering with the university to construct additional hostels to ease the housing burden on students. Prof. Duku indicated that only about 6% of the over 40,000 enrolled students are accommodated on campus, and the majority face housing challenges, sometimes living in town under less-than-ideal conditions.
The visit not only strengthened the ties between the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission and UEW but also showcased the potential for cooperation in the realm of education, offering hope for a brighter future in Ghana's educational landscape. This partnership has the potential to significantly impact the quality of education, and student accommodation, and foster an atmosphere of religious tolerance and understanding.
