Former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has highlighted what he describes as extensive investments in education across the Northern Region, emphasizing that his development agenda has consistently prioritized educational advancement beyond his constituency.

Speaking in an interview, Dr. Amin Adam stated that education remains a critical pillar of development and has therefore guided many of his interventions over the years.

He outlined several educational projects he has either completed or initiated across the region. These include a one-storey 12-unit classroom block at the Northern School of Business (NOBISCO) in Tamale, his alma mater, a similar classroom facility at Tamale Senior High School (TAMASCO), and the government-sponsored Karaga STEM College of Education, which is currently stalled due to funding constraints.

Other projects, according to him, include a classroom block at Markaziyya Islamic School in Zogbeli, a dormitory block at the Ambariyya Islamic Institute in Tamale, a one-storey 12-unit classroom block for Pishigu Senior High School, and the establishment of the Nyong Technical Institute.

“Both Pishigu Senior High School and Nyong Technical Institute were not built by the government. I sourced financial support from companies to build them. I have also established scholarship schemes for students in Karaga, Aboabo, where I grew up, Zogbeli, and for journalists in Tamale,” Dr. Amin Adam said.

He further revealed that the Karaga STEM College of Education was envisioned to become Ghana’s first STEM-focused College of Education dedicated to training science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers, but progress on the project has been hampered by inadequate funding.

Dr. Amin Adam made the remarks while responding to public criticism surrounding the construction of the newly commissioned Masjid Al-Noor (“The Light”) mosque in Karaga. The ultra-modern facility has a seating capacity of 6,000 worshippers, with an additional 4,000 people able to be accommodated within its outer grounds, making it one of the largest Islamic prayer centres in Ghana.

The project has generated mixed reactions, with some critics suggesting that resources invested in the mosque could have been directed toward factories and other employment-generating ventures for the youth.

However, the former Finance Minister defended the initiative, arguing that the project extends beyond a place of worship.

“The mosque also has a school and a research center. I have always been an Islamic educationist long before I entered politics, so you do not abandon your faith because you are a politician. We seek salvation and engage in charity so that God continues to favour us. Anyone who provides such a facility seeks to strengthen their relationship with God,” he explained.

Dr. Amin Adam also expressed concern about what he described as the erosion of moral and social values among young people, stressing the importance of early religious and ethical education.

“Our society is degenerating as values are being lost, and many young people are engaging in behaviours that are contrary to Islamic teachings. We must catch them young and instil the values that are acceptable to society and our religion,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to community development, Dr. Amin Adam rejected claims that his contributions have been limited to religious projects, pointing to the numerous educational facilities he has supported across the Northern Region.

“I have built classroom blocks in Tamale, NOBISCO, Markaziyya, a dormitory block for Ambariyya in Tamale, and many other projects in my constituency. This mosque is an addition to support community development through educational and religious activities,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that Masjid Al-Noor would serve as a centre for learning, moral guidance and community development, helping to shape responsible future generations.

“I am interested in the impact this project will make in our community so that the children we raise today can become responsible and productive members of society tomorrow,” Dr. Amin Adam added.

Report By: Stephen Zuri