The Zongo-Hausa Youth Association of Ghana (ZOHAG), under the auspices of Sarkin Zongo Palace, has held the “Ranar Hausa Ta Duniya” (International Hausa Day) 2025 at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi.
The event was under the theme: “Zongo; Moving from Marginalisation to Viability -The Role of Government in Policy Implementation”.
Ranar Hausa Ta Duniya is a day (August 26, 2025) dedicated to celebrating and discussing the Hausa language and culture, focusing on its importance, potential challenges and opportunities for growth and global connection.
Alhaji Alhassan Abdul Wahab, Chief of Yadega Community in Ashanti Region disclosed that the Zongo community stands stronger when they come together, noting that “unity” is a sign of progress, hence the need to work together, support one another and share ideas to facilitate greater achievement.
The Chief further indicated that unity among Zongo communities was “absolutely essential” and urged them to avoid discrimination against each other and come together for a common goal.
He explained that the spirit behind unity of purpose, based on understanding would enhance development of Zongo communities devoid of conflicts and personal acrimonies.
Alhaji Wahab further indicated that a society could only thrive if it firmly abides in unity and advised that respect for the older and traditional values must be upheld at all times.
He, therefore, urged Zongo communities to come together in the “supreme interest” of the unity of Zongos, as well as pursuit of achieving togetherness, while insisting on the equality of all before the law and citizens abiding by the law of the land.
Alhaji Wahab indicated that it is imperative as citizens, as well as members of Zongo communities, to embrace each other and respect the views of one another in one’s daily endeavour, hence the pursuit of unity should be the pivot of strength of one’s day-to-day activities.
Ben Abdallah Alhassan, Chief Executive, Asokore Mampong Muncipal Assembly indicated that the commemoration was the reflection on the contribution of the Zongo communities to the socio economic and political fabric of the nation, noting that for centuries, the Zongo communities have been centres of resilience, commerce, education and religious leadership, which have produced great scholars, entrepreneurs, artisans and leaders who continue to shape the destiny of our country.
Touching on the theme, the MCE disclosed that Zongo communities have faced challenges of marginalisation, exclusion and underdevelopment, urging a collective endeavour to change the aforementioned challenges into opportunities through education, empowerment and effective policies.
The MCE, highlighting the major threat to Zongo communities, indicated that drug and substance abuse destroy potentials, break families and augment crime rates in Zongo communities.
“If our youth, who are the future leaders are enslaved by drugs, then our future as community is in jeopardy”, the MCE indicated and suggested solution in the collective response, strong parental guidance, community vigilance, government enforcement and most importantly education and skills training to give the youth alternative to disruptive lifestyles.
As a result, he expressed the Assembly’s commitment in supporting programmes that encourage young people to pursue formal education, whiles also giving equal respect to vocational and technical training because not every young person would find opportunities in formal education alone.
MCE Alhasan noted that every young person can become productive if given a skill in carpentry, tailoring and mechanics, among others, stressing that we must begin to see training and skill training as “dignified and powerful” tools for transforming Zongo communities.
The MCE stressed that with government interventions, such as National Apprenticeship Programme, One Million Coders Programme (in the pilot stage), Adwumawura Programme and other social initiatives, it is clear that the “era of neglect” must give way to the “era of empowerment”.
He revealed that the Municipal Assembly in collaboration with AAMUSTED and MasterCard Foundation has initiated several programmes such as the Women empowerment programme to empowerment the youth.
In attendance were Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul Rahman Sanfo III, Caretaker of Zongo Stool, Sarkin Mosawa; Sheikh Zakaria Abdul Rahman, Chief Imam, Ashanti Region and Sheikh Abdul Wadud Haroun Cissey, President, Tijjaniya Muslims.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
