The National Dawah Council (NADAC) and the National Representative Congress (NRC) of the Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a Community in Ghana have clarified the election of Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed and Sheikh Amin Osman as the first and second deputy National Chief Imams respectively.
According to the groups, the National Dawah Council per their constitutional mandate converged at Kpong in the Eastern region from January 8 to 9th, 2022, upon consultation with the National Chief Imam, to elect the duo as deputy National Imams.
“The result of that constitutional election by NADAC in 2022 was that Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed was duly elected the 1st deputy National Imam and Sheikh Amin Osman as 2nd National Imam. There’s no misconception about these two deputies as elected by NADA. Also, as noted above, it is clearly stated in Article 7C subsection 1 of the ASWAJ constitution, how our national Imams are elected, so no one has or will even think about fighting for ant position” they emphasized.
The two groups made these statements in reaction to some remarks allegedly made by the National Chief Imam of the Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a Community in Ghana, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam.
The Chief Imam has reportedly accused some individuals in leadership of usurping his powers and authority and misappropriating funds meant for the Ahlussunna headquarters.
“I want to clarify that per our constitution, no deputy is an automatic successor to the National Imam. Therefore, fighting over a position is an exercise in futility. Also, issues of administrative misinformation and disinformation have deep cracks within the body of Ahlussunna. Per our constitution, our finances and properties must be administered from the headquarters. I have tried for almost six years to get this understanding sink into the minds of some of my Ulamas but they have refused to understand organizational work”.
He continued, “What I got in return is fabricated falsehood to discredit me. Among these falsehood peddled against me is that they have been depositing money in a particular account at the headquarters but do not know how those monies are expended; that is why they refused to bring the organization’s money and property to the headquarters.”
But speaking at a joint press conference held in Tamale last Sunday, (December 24, 2023), the National Secretary of Ahlussunna, Sheikh Sulemana Ahmed Mozu, refuted the [National Imam’s] assertion that some people were out to discredit him with false information.
He noted the Regional Imams as part efforts decided to contribute money in order to support the headquarters. He disclosed the initial contribution amounted to GH₵69,000.00 which the National Imam requested for the money to be released but they insisted for the money to be invested as they already agreed.
“After 3years of mobilization, we realized GH₵230,000.00” the Secretary narrated, adding, “We then arrived at a final consensus after several meetings and deliberations to procure a Tipper-Truck at a cost $81,000.00 corresponding to GH₵595,350.00 on credit which was paid within one year upon consultation with the National Imam”.
According to Sheikh Sulemana, the truck is being managed presently by the investment committee under the NRC, alleging the national Imam declined to be a signatory to the account responsible for the proceeds of the truck business.
“Note that the truck-account is different from the headquarters account” he clarified.
Meanwhile, the groups have also affirmed their position on the responsibilities of the two deputies as contained in Article 9B subsection 2 and 3 of the Ahlussunna constitution and stated any attempt by the National Imam to abolish this or any part of the constitution without due process will be unconstitutional and cannot be accepted.