GOVT ASSURES MUSLIM PILGRIMS IN THE NORTH (PAGE 29)

THE government has given the assurance that would-be Muslim pilgrims from the northern sector of the country would from this year fly directly from the refurbished Tamale Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when embarking on the annual Hajj.
This measure is aimed at reducing the difficulties and stress pilgrims often go through in Accra before embarking on the pilgrimage. The first time Muslims in the area made such a direct flight to the Saudi Kingdom was in the late 1970s.
The Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, was speaking in Tamale at the weekend at the final funeral rites of Alhaji Baba Gariba, father of Dr Sulley Gariba, Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Alternative (IPA) who died last week.
The Veep who was on his first trip outside Accra after he was sworn into office on January 7, was accompanied on his visit by some leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). They included Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam, Mr Alban Bagbin, Majority Leader in Parliament, and Mr Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam.
Also present were Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, Leader of the People's National Convention (PNC), and his wife, Mrs Comfort Mahama.
The Veep described the late Alhaji Gariba as a role model who imbued wisdom to all he encountered.
According to him, the late Alhaji Gariba was not only peace-loving but also exhibited a lot of humility that endeared him to all. He also cherished education and encouraged the youth to always study hard to attain the highest level in education.
On the just-ended general elections, Mr Mahama admonished Ghanaians to forge ahead in unity and also put all hands on deck to propel the nation ahead in prosperity, instead of engaging in acts with the tendency of dividing the country.
Mr Mahama said, "There is no reason why we should fight one another after the elections. We are all one with a common destiny and we need to be each other's keeper and guard jealously the peace in the country."
He gave the assurance that the government would not disappoint Ghanaians but would live up to its campaign promises of improving the lot of the people, irrespective of their political persuasions.
The Veep later paid courtesy calls on some chiefs and opinion leaders in the metropolis and thanked them for their immense support in ensuring peaceful elections.