The event was attended by Muslim chiefs in the Greater Accra Region, Imams, Islamic scholars, diplomats, and a member of the Council of State among other dignitaries.

The president of the NCMC Alhaji Ali Kadir English said the conference was to be used as a forum to deliberate on issues affecting the custodians of the Muslim communities, "as the well-being of any community relies upon its leadership".

The leader of the Wangara community in Accra Alhaji Imoro Baba Issa used the occasion to appeal for the empowerment of individual chiefs towards achieving the set goals of the Council.

He said it is often observed that once chiefs are installed, they are neglected by the very people who installed them, "making them lack support both in cash and in kind".

He called on chiefs to prioritise the education of the youth in their communities and spoke against domestic violence and some harmful traditional practices including female genital mutilation.

The president of the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Major (retd) Alhaji Muhammed Easah challenged chiefs to ensure that discipline, orderliness and harmony prevail in their communities.

He said chiefs have the duty to rise against any wrongdoing in their communities, and urged them not to view their role as a moral duty only, "but also as a religious obligation". He said chiefs must be seen as role models and challenged them to be honest, non-partisan, impartial, and caring more especially towards the youth in the society.

Greater Accra Region Minister Sheikh I.C. Quaye said the Muslim community cannot be said to be left out in the Kufuor Administration, and cited the presence of a good number of Muslims in business institutions, the government, and in the world of sports.

He said the economic policies of the NPP government namely manpower and human resource development and good governance have created a sound economic and an enabling environment for investment, and urged the Muslim community to make good use of it.

"Although the government has shown willingness and determination to facilitate the advancement of communities including Zongos", Sheikh Quaye said, "we can't reciprocate appropriately if we don't take our destiny into our own hands and work out practical strategies which will enable us to promote ourselves worthy of consideration in all matters".

ASP Jordan Quaye from the Public Relations Unit of the Greater Accra Police Command attributed the breakdown of discipline in the society to the neglect of parental and leadership responsibilities and urged community leaders to take up responsibilities.

He said the activities of a few bad ones in the Zongos who provide spiritual assistance to criminals, and the giving of false Muslim names by some criminals have among others added stigma and suspicion to the Muslim community.

ASP Quaye said the police administration has recognised efforts being made by most of the chiefs in promoting discipline, peace and stability in their communities, and urged them to promote inter-faith and inter-tribal sports activities.

He said chiefs must use the media among other avenues to disassociate Muslims from violence; saying now is the time for erasing suspicion and stigma from the Muslim community.

ASP Quaye finally called for cooperation between the Zongos and the police as partners in the fight against crime, "but not rather live as cat and mouse".

The event was chaired by Naa Wuluga Naba, member of the Council of State.