He also advised them to respect the laws of Ghana by living peacefully and also ensuring harmony in their respective communities and not to extend the conflict and security challenges in Mali into Ghana.

He observed that many of the security challenges in West Africa could be addressed with the collaboration of all, including members of the Songhai community.

President Akufo-Addo made the call when the Paramount Chief of the Songhai community in Ghana, Amadu Fatahu Alhassan Maiga II, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday.

The Songhai community, which traces its ancestry to the Songhai Empire, is located in present-day Mali. The people first settled in areas such as Larabanga in the West Gonja District in the Savanna Region and Nzulezu in the Jomoro District in the Western Region in Ghana in the 13th century.

Living together

President Akufo-Addo further called for continued efforts to sustain, grow and deepen existing bonds and links with Ghana’s neighbours.

“We live in a difficult neighbourhood and we are providing a good example of how people can live together in solidarity and develop a decent civilisation,” he said.

The President gave an assurance that he would reciprocate the visit by the chief and elders of the community as he promoted the values of civic responsibility, education, entrepreneurship and good citizenship, describing them as “important values for the growth of Ghana, especially in sustaining the stability, peace and integrity of the country”.

Songhai community

He described the Songhai community in Ghana as a well-established part of the Ghanaian architecture because the people had been in Ghana for centuries, doing business and contributing effectively to the development of the local economy.

He lauded the members for their visit and mentioned some social interventions introduced by the government in the areas of education, agriculture and industry from which, he said, the people were also benefitting.

President Akufo-Addo said there was a clear indication that the impact of those policies was getting to all segments of society.

Free SHS

Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chief, the Deputy General Secretary of the community, Mr Swadiq Muhammad Huzaif, said the introduction of the free senior high school (SHS) policy had benefited many people from Songhai and the Zongo communities, adding that “education is the best thing anyone can give to the next generation. We say bravo to you”.

He said members of the community were law-abiding citizens, business men and women who were doing well in their various endeavours, especially in the areas of oil and gas, and contributing their quota to the development of Ghana.

Mr Huzaif pledged the community’s commitment to continue to respect the laws of Ghana to promote peace and security and the general well-being of all Malians resident in the country.