The Chief Imam of Asasetre in the Ellembele constituency of the Western region, Imam Mohammed Abubakar, has showered praises on former President Jerry John Rawlings for his effective leadership role that has ensured the stability of the country. According to him, Ghanaians cannot quantify the contribution of the former President to the development of the country, and he must not be rewarded through mere showering of praises, except the high reward of the almighty God. Imam Abubakar said this when a team of NDC members led by the aspiring Member of Parliament for Ellemebele, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, paid a courtesy call on him at his residence at Asasetre. The chief Imam, in extolling the virtues of the former President for his toil and sacrifice for the nation, said Rawlings and the NDC party he founded would forever remain untouchable in the zongo communities. According to him, Mr. Rawlings laid his life down for the country and strengthened its stability, which eventually brought about the current peace and democracy that all Ghanaians are enjoying now. The Imam recounted how the ex-President had positively responded to the Hajj issue in the country during his tenure. The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca had over the last seven years been characterized by undue delay and improper organization. He noted that when Rawlings was in power he always made the Hajj and Ramadan issues his top priority, which resulted in the NDC granting Moslems 2 statutory public holidays. The NDC donated 200 bags of cement to the Asasetre community for the repairs of their weak bridge which links the area to their farmlands. The chief Imam, in expressing his appreciation said he was not surprised, because the NDC had always demonstrated and delivered on their promises. He expressed his confidence in the flag bearer of the NDC, Professor John Evans Atta Mills and the NDC parliamentary candidate of Ellemebele, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Bwah for the December polls. After offering prayers for the NDC, he expressed the hope that the party would form the next government in 2009. On his part, Mr. Kofi-Bwah, who led the team thanked the chief Imam for recognizing the significant role the former President and the NDC played for the socio economic development of the country. He assured the zongo communities of the NDC’s continued support whether in opposition or in government. Mr. Kofi-Bwah assured the Imam and his subjects that he would win the Ellembele seat hands down, which is currently being occupied by the First Deputy Speaker of parliament, Hon. Freddie Blay. He, however, informed the zongo community in Asasetre, to be wary of the alleged intent of the ruling party to disenfranchise the zongo communities in Ghana. Source: The Chronicle