Zango Development Fund and Zakat Fund: Tools of economic emancipation
“And help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear God; His punishment is indeed severe.” — Quran 5:2.
The above verse highlights and emphasizes a core principle of cooperation for good deeds and piety while strictly forbidding support for evil actions and injustice. The goal is to build a strong, just community, with Allah’s help, by promoting collective good and avoiding any form of cooperation with oppressors or wrongdoers.
I strongly believe that the goal of establishing the Zango Development Fund and the Ministry of Zango and Inner Cities was to create a vehicle that complements other policies of the State towards alleviating poverty and raising the standards of living of marginalised communities in Ghana.
It is public knowledge in Ghana that every Zango community, over 3000 of such, is highly deprived and lacking certain essential services and development. The same applies to inner cities such as Chokor, James Town, etc.
These communities are working hard to be at par with others but fate, lack of political will, in addition to the age-old philosophies of the indigenes, make it technically impossible for upgraded living standards.
There is, however, a glittering light at the end of the tunnel if only we commit ourselves to self-development and reliance—and it does not have to be drastic.
“Which of the Favours of your Lord do you deny?” — Quran 55:13.
The Zakat Fund of Ghana, on the other hand, established under the Islamic principles of taxation and social welfare for collective development and self-sustenance, could become a catalyst for our economic emancipation.
The Almighty Allah prescribed Zakat (taxation) as enshrined in the Quran just as it was established in the other religions before the coming of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). But the mode of collection and the amount or nisab has no clear divine guidance or instruction. Instead, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) consulted His Companions and the collective decision of the people was endorsed by Allah.
For a very long time, I have always argued that our Zango communities are neither poor, backward nor illiterate as some would want you to believe. It only needs a clear and strategic plan for harnessing resources of our own people for our collective development.
The plan, execution and resources mobilization for the Grand Dam of Ethiopia (launched recently) has taught us a lot of lessons about self-reliance. If nothing at all, national pride cultivated through individual contributions towards a well organised national project has been realized.
The Zango Development Fund, like many other State institutions such as the National Peace Council, has not received substantial financial support from the Government since its establishment. However, the State has provided for the Fund all the regulatory and legal backing to raise funds and resources on its own including to seek foreign interventions.
What is then needed is proactive leadership by the administrators and management of these State institutions to complement the efforts of Government in realising its goals and objectives over the establishment of these institutions.
The Zakat Fund of Ghana, being administered by competent Muslims, has been raising funds from corporate institutions and individuals in the private sector, but largely from the civil servants giving permission to the Accountant General’s Department to deduct an agreed amount from the source before a net salary hits an individual’s account.
A very well-coordinated scheme designed to promote transparency and accountability: two cardinal principles in the collection and administration of Zakat as established in the Sunnah (Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)).
The Zakat Fund has been largely successful, having been able to support the education of over 200 Muslim students, provided start-up support funds and kits to over 100 Muslims, paid for medical bills of over 100 Muslims and intervened financially to alleviate the plights and sufferings of over 100 Muslims.
The Zango Development Fund has had its share of successes in the past 7 years since its establishment. However, it has failed to raise enough resources and revenue by itself.
The Zango Development Fund and the Zakat Fund seem to have certain commonalities especially as both institutions aim to serve a targeted group of people and community—the marginalized in Ghana.
In my limited opinion, I think the Zango Development Fund should find possible ways of collaboration with the Zakat Fund to complement each other’s efforts and gains.
Some of the possible areas of collaboration include:
- Creating a means of widening the taxation net within the Zangos and Inner Cities in collaboration with the local Assemblies.
- Establishment of Islamic or Sharia-compliant banking systems in Ghana, just as is being practised in the UK for over 3 decades.
- Making the tourism and hospitality industry very attractive to non-traditional tourists and strengthening Halal compliance on food, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
- Earmarking specific projects for the mobilisation of resources and execution.
- Developing strategic means of collecting property rates with a specific agenda for local development.
- Extensive collaborative efforts with the support of the Central Government to attract external donations and grants.
There are many such opportunities.
Remember, “Indeed, Allah would never change the condition of a people until they change their own condition.” — Quran 13:11.
Certainly, with the right policy intervention, I believe we can become champions and achievers of our own economic emancipation within a decade.
The writer is a Board Member of the Zakat Fund of Ghana and a Consultant in ADR, Human Rights and Islamic Affairs.
BY ALHAJI KHUZAIMA MOHAMMED OSMAN
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