Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the newly appointed Acting Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), has reacted to the controversy regarding his religious affiliation.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi TV, Abdul-Salam reiterated that, while he is a devout Muslim, his selection was based on his ability to meet Ghana’s secular government standards.
“I am a practicing Muslim. I’m not just a Muslim; I am a practicing Muslim, but I’m not a fanatic leader. Neither am I an extremist,’’ he acknowledged.
Abdul-Salam alluded to his predecessor, Sammi Awuku, saying, “Sammi Awuku is a Christian; I don’t know which part of Christianity allows for a Christian to assume that office.
He asserts that because Ghana’s legal system keeps religion and politics separated, qualified persons from any religious background qualified persons from all religious backgrounds can take any position in government.
“Ghana is a secular state. There’s nowhere anybody will say that this person will occupy this position because he’s a Christian, and this position will be occupied because the fellow is a Muslim. Institutions of state are supposed to be manned by people deemed to be competent.to do so.’’
He went to say, “the appointing authority deems it fit that Mohammed Abdul-Salam, at this particular point in time, given the opportunity, can man the National Lottery Authority, and that has been given to me. I have consented to it, and I have sent a formal letter accepting the appointment. There should be no controversy about that.’’
The appointment of Abdul-Salam comes after his predecessor, Sammi Awuku, resigned on January 13, 2025, after winning the election to represent Akuapem North in parliament.
