For years of my writing on various topics, I have never touched on religion not because I dread the area but as a sinner I have decided not to delve into sacrilegious things. I leave it for the Holy people.
However, I feel extremely compelled to write this piece to forcefully argue to defend the newly appointed Director-General of the National Lottery Authority, Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam.
The two main religions in Ghana, Christianity and Islam, abhor lotto, gambling, betting, drinking of alcohol, smoking, promiscuity, and other social vices. But for the purposes of this piece, I will pick lottery as the subject for discussion.
There has been some brouhaha about the recent appointment of Mr. Abdul-Salam as the Director-General of the NLA, who as a matter of fact is a Muslim. Shortly after his name was announced for the position, his religious background became a subject of controversy for the acceptance.
Seriously, a Muslim group held a press conference to remind the appointing authority that Mr. Salam ought not to have been given that job at all considering his religious affiliation. Additionally, some individuals have joined the fray to admonish the new D-G to graciously rescind his decision for accepting to be the head of the state institution.
Interestingly, Mr. Abdul-Salam has officially accepted the appointment and gone ahead to thank President John Mahama for honoring him with such a job to contribute his quota to national development. He is a Muslim by birth, but he has stated his conviction on the NLA issue. He has vowed to bear the consequences of his decision and whatever the Islam faith will have on him and his family.
To stake lotto, according to adherents of these two faiths, is an abomination and so in the Ghanaian society they preach against it. Strangely, the origin of these religions have allowed lottery business to operate and thrive in their countries, serving as a source of employment and revenue generation to support national growth and their economies. These proceeds from lottery form part of funds and loans they give to underdeveloped and poor countries in Africa.
Lottery or lotto as popularly called is a game of chance though some people may have different view about it. United States of America, for several years now, in a bid to hire people across the globe, put out American Visa Lottery policy to help lovers of America to get the chance to travel to that country. There are other types of lottery in America.
In Europe, many of the member states operate lottery business under the continental body called European Lotteries.
There are also many countries whose populations are largely Muslims or Arabs but allow the people to engage in the lottery business. Some of the countries include Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Morocco, The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia (allows lottery to be played online/website), Malaysia, Algeria, Egypt etc.
The above-mentioned countries use the same Holy Quran, yet the Muslim group in Ghana fighting Mr. Abdul-Salam quoted Quran 5.90 which according to them forbids gambling, betting, and games of chance.
The Holy Quran and the Holy Bible verses are often referenced and subjected to different interpretations depending on the understanding of the reader or preacher.
It is my strong belief that worshipping and wishing to go to Heaven lies with the individual’s commitment towards God or Allah, and no mediator can negotiate.
Methinks the Muslim group was unfair to Mr. Abdul-Salam. What the group should have done was to issue a stern statement to warn all Muslims in the country not to take up any appointment or job relating to lottery business or manufacturing companies which produce alcoholic drinks and beverages.
Again, the group should tell devout Muslims to desist from using any facility or infrastructure projects which funds or proceeds involved lotto or selling of alcohol. “Wo kyikooko aa, wo nnineba”. In other words, you cannot hate cassava and eat gari.
The Good Causes Foundation, corporate social responsibility wing of the NLA, has executed numerous projects across the country, and has equally assisted many brilliant but needy students as well as offering help to the under privileged in the society. All these are done without discrimination or checking for religious backgrounds.
From all indications and the horses own mouth, Mr. Abdul-Salam genuinely intends to serve mother Ghana through putting up his rich educational background and expertise to steer the affairs of the NLA.
He must put his enemies and detractors to shame. And he can only achieve that by working diligently, transparently, applying best and standard managerial skills, and above all having in mind to work to leave an enduring legacy at the NLA.
Castro Danquah
Media Practitioner
Accra.
