Ghana National Mosque Explained

Ghana National Mosque
Map Type:Ghana
Map Size:220px
Map Relief:yes
Religious Affiliation:Islam
Location:Accra, Ghana
Tradition:Sunni
Festivals:-->
Organizational Status:-->
Architecture Type:Mosque
Architecture Style:Ottoman
Groundbreaking:2012
Date Destroyed:-->
Minaret Quantity:4
Elevation Ft:-->

The Ghana National Mosque is a mosque in Ghana.[1] [2] It is the second largest mosque in West Africa.[3]

The mosque was built at a cost of $10 million.[4] It was funded by the Turkish Hudai Foundation in Accra with the support of the Turkish government.[5]

The complex includes a residence for the imam, a school and a library.[6]

History

The construction began in 2012. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu in his speech claimed Jerry John Rawlings and others helped in the securing of the land for the realization of the project for Muslims in Ghana.[7] In 1995, JJ Rawlings gave out the land to replace a mosque he destroyed for the building of Rawlings Park in Accra. The project was started by the Muslim Community in Ghana and was abandoned close to 10 years because of lack of funds.[8]

Architecture and features

The mosque is built in an Ottoman revival style with four signature minarets towering about 65m above the ground. It is claimed to be a replica of the Blue Mosque. It is made of carrara marble exterior fittings. The upper levels of the interior of the mosque are dominated by blue paints, with stained glass windows with designs. The inner decorations are made of hand-drawn calligraphic verses of the Quran. The floors are covered with carpets. The mosque has a mihrab made from sculptured marbles, with a stalactite niche and a double inscriptive panel above it. The exterior feature is arranged with cascade of domes around the main dome.

Location

The mosque is located at Kanda(Kawukudi) in Accra.

Commissioning

The mosque was commissioned on Friday 16th July 2021 by Nana Akufo-Addo.[9] [10] The commissioning was attended by president Mohammed Bazoum and former president Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger. Also in attendance was Mahamudu Bawumia, Fuat Oktay, Ali Erbas, and Osman Nuhu Sharubutu .[11]

Facilities

The mosque is claimed to be a 15,000 seater-capacity mosque complex built on a 42-acre land. It has an office complex for the National Chief Imam,project managers and others; a morgue, a library, a school, dormitories, workers and guests residences; and a fitted clinic with laboratories and a pharmacy. It has a minaret which can be seen from many parts of Accra.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: sabah. daily. 2016-03-02. President Erdoğan visits Ghana National Mosque. 2021-01-30. Daily Sabah. en.
  2. Web site: 2020-02-13. Inside the new Ghana national mosque whose completion has delayed since 2016. 2021-01-30. www.ghanaweb.com. en.
  3. Web site: Akufo-Addo commissions National Mosque complex - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-07-17. www.myjoyonline.com. en-US.
  4. Web site: emmakd. 2021-07-17. Turkey funded Ghana national mosque commissioned. 2021-07-17. Ghana Business News. en-US.
  5. Web site: MEEX Ghana Mosque AP Archive. 2021-01-30. www.aparchive.com.
  6. Web site: Sinopoli. Antonella. 1 March 2019. Ghana. The great Mosque of Accra. - News & views from emerging countries. 2021-01-30. www.southworld.net. en-US.
  7. Web site: National Mosque complex opens. 2021-07-17. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  8. Web site: 2020-03-11. Ghana National Mosque. 2021-07-21. Spektra Global. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2021-07-16. Largest mosque in West Africa opened in Ghana. 2021-07-17. GhanaWeb. en. 2021-07-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719183222/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Largest-mosque-in-West-Africa-opened-in-Ghana-1311064. dead.
  10. Web site: 2021-07-16. Akufo-Addo commissions National Mosque Complex [Photos]]. 2021-07-21. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  11. Web site: Bureau. Communications. President Akufo-Addo Commissions National Mosque Complex. 2021-07-17. presidency.gov.gh. en-gb.
  12. Web site: 2021-07-17. Photos: Akufo-Addo commissions Ghana National Mosque at Nima. 2021-07-17. Pulse Ghana. en.