The Kumasi Central Mosque marked its first Jummah service on Friday, June 5, 2020, after the ban on religious activities was lifted last Sunday.

Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo introduced the stage one level of easing restrictions in Ghana since the coronavirus pandemic struck. He directed that “Twenty-five percent (25%) attendance, with a maximum number of one hundred (100) congregants, can worship at a time in church or at the mosque, with a mandatory one-meter rule of social distancing between congregants.” 

The mandatory wearing of masks for all persons at all times in churches and mosques was also focused and a register of names and contact details of all worshippers was to be provided. Hand washing facilities and sanitizers were mandated to be installed as service duration was given a maximum of one (1) hour for each.

 Arrangements at the Kumasi Central Mosque was in line with the President’s proposed directives to help curb the COVID from the midst of Ghanaians.

A hundred occupants filled the mosque with a two-meter gap reserved as a means of observing the social distancing protocol

The face masks were no left without seeing that worshippers' faces were covered with masks.

Speaking to the Assistant Secretary of the Kumasi Central Mosque, also a member of the COVID-19 Planning Committee, Alhaji Mujeeb Rahman Abdul Razak, he explained that the Central Mosque has collaborated with the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Alidu Seidu of the Asokore Mampong Municipal to make sure rules are observed.

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 He explained that the required 100 people observed the Jummah whiles the rest were outside the premises monitoring activities through the megaphone. When asked whether they were waiting for their turn to take part in the worship, he reacted that the “outsiders are not part of the hundred directed by the president of Ghana. The confined area is within the mosque. Those who fall outside the area are not part of the specified number.”

The process to abide before entering the mosque to worship was also explained.

“Before one enters, you are obliged to wash your hands and apply an alcohol-based sanitizer. The person then records his or her place of stay, house, and telephone number. Their temperatures are also tested. This is to determine the health status of such and how we hope to handle them in case of a misfortune,” he said.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the COVID-19 Planning Committee, Mohammed Bun-Bida, the first day of fulfillment is a learning point for the weeks ahead. He enlightened that the level of patronage will determine whether to host a one or double service.

He further advised that it is needful to take the coronavirus safety measures seriously to help check the spread and contain the pandemic.

“Many people believe there is no COVID. However, the truth is that even if it does not exist, we must adhere to and respect authorities for their word. We voted for them to be leaders over us hence the need to respect and obey what they tell is.

“I am not comfortable wearing the mask yet we are not in normal times and as Muslims, it is a mandate to obey the leadership,” he ended.