The Bank of Africa (BOA) Ghana, as part of its annual tradition to join in fellowship with its clients, partners, directors and friends to celebrate the diversity of faith in the almighty, has collaborated with the Moroccan Embassy to hold a feast for Muslims at the break of Ramadan fast.
Iftar, which is the evening meal that breaks each day’s fast during Ramadan, is very essential to the Islamic religion and the management of the BOA deems it fit in the spirit of compassion, tolerance and mutual respect to show generosity to the brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith during this period.
Amid the Maghrib and Isha prayers, and merrymaking to break the fast, the two parties also presented a Holy Quran and a branded prayer mat to each representative to foster the continuation of the Ramadan spiritual exercise.
The Iftar event, held at the Mix Design Hub & Restaurant, featured an array of traditional dishes, mixed fruits, sweet desserts, rice meal and grilled lamb, among others.
Deputy Managing Director – BOA, Fatoumata Gakou, in her remarks, emphasised that the Ramadan feast is a way for the bank to show appreciation for its Muslim clients and acknowledge the significance of the special month, as a time of reflection and spiritual growth for Muslims all over the world.
“Ramadan is a time to reflect and remember that discipline and devotion is the essence of a life of faith and for all of us Christians and Muslims, it is a reminder of just how much we share the values of peace and charity, the importance of family and community, and the commandment to love one another and to care for the least among us.
“We extend our gratitude by this gathering to not only break bread, but to also build bridges as sisters and brothers for the future,” she said.
She further explained that this was something the bank will be doing every year as a way of showing love for one another.
She reiterated that the BOA is committed to providing exceptional services to its clients and ensuring that their funds are in safe hands because the bank is well-capitalised far beyond the minimum capital rate instituted by the regulator – Bank of Ghana, and currently has the strong backing of its group in Morocco.
Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Abderrahim Cherrab, reiterated that Ramadan is the holy month of the year when Muslims around the world readjust and verify the truthiness of their compass to keep on the pathway of righteousness, peace and prosperity.
“This annual Iftar, organised in partnership with Bank of Africa – Ghana, is a great occasion for Muslims in the country to remember the path of Allah through the sharing of this communal fast, and is an occasion to strengthen the links between them and to promote Islamic values to our brothers and sisters from other confessions.
“This celebration is also the culmination of the efforts in promoting Islam and its right values of sharing, compassion and solidarity between Muslims and with other confessions,” he said.
Also, present at the ceremony were the management and staff of BOA as well as a delegation from the Morocco Embassy and other Islamic states’ embassies in Ghana.
In a similar vein, the BOA donated assorted food items and an undisclosed amount of money to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, toward this year’s Ramadan festivities.
The items included bags of rice and sugar, cartons of milk, milo, tea bags, and a prayer mat at the residence of the National Chief Imam in Accra.
