The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, founded in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), has spread its message of peace and reform across the globe. In Ghana, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has a rich history marked by dedication, progress, and significant contributions to the nation's development. This article explores the journey of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ghana, from its humble beginnings to its current prominent position.
Early Beginnings (1885-1921)
The early rise of the Community in Ghana can be traced through a sequence of events beginning roughly at the same time as the birth of the Ahmadiyya movement in 1889 in British India. The introduction of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ghana can be traced to a sequence of events, commencing several years prior to the establishment of the Community in 1889 in British India. Although, there were reports of small number of Muslims in southern Ghana in the early 19th century, Islam is said to have properly commenced in the region in 1885, among the Fante people.
Roughly a decade prior to this, in 1872, during perhaps the third Anglo-Ashanti war, a northern Muslim cleric Abu Bakr arrived in southern Ghana to administer the spiritual needs of Muslim Nigerian Hausa soldiers brought by the British colonialists. In 1885, a trained and devoted Christian clergyman, Benjamin Sam, converted to Islam. Using his influence, he converted most of his Methodist followers to Islam. Sam was a Methodist evangelist and a trader who initially brought his friend Appah from Paganism to Christianity. Islam grew rapidly among the Fante people.
Starting from Ekrofol, Sam self-designated himself as its Imam, and quickly built a community of 500 Fante Muslims across southern Ghana. At times, Muslim clerics from the northern regions continued to supervise the growing, but nascent group of Muslims in southern Ghana. In July 1896, a secular Muslim school was opened in Ekrofol, and Appah was appointed as its manager. However, the northern clerics expressed strong disapproval of a secular-leaning school. Despite this, the school prospered with governmental assistance until 1908 when it was infected by Guinea worm disease and attendance soon dropped. As a convert from Christianity, Sam taught customs, brought from Christianity, that were sometimes considered un-Islamic.
As a result, Appah left Ekrofol. Sam died soon after, in the same year the disease struck the school. The first contact with Ahmadiyya in Ghana can perhaps be attributed to a consequence of Sam's cousin who dreamt of white men called "Muslims", with whom he was praying. It was believed by converts that the only people who prayed as Muslims were the northern Hausa. However, a resident in Saltpond, originally from Nigeria, informed the presence of the Indian-origin Ahmadiyya movement in Nigeria.
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In 1920, Yusuf Nyarko Sahib, a Fanti Muslim, dreamt that “white” men were leading his community of Muslims in prayer. It was indeed divine intervention that a Nigerian Muslim, Abdur Rahman Pedro from Saltpond, confirmed the existence of a Qadian-based “white” Muslim sect with a branch office in London. It was then resolved to apply for an Ahmadi missionary from Qadian, India. Soon, through the Review of Religions, the Fante Muslims under the leadership of Appah made contact with the caliph, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, in Qadian, India.
The Ghanaian Muslims, at the behest of Chief Mahdi Appah Sahib, therefore took the unique initiative to contact Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra in Qadian through The Review of Religions. The Muslims were no longer interested to remain under the spiritual guidance of the northern Ghanaians or Hausa Muslims.
The Arrival of the First Missionary (1921-1922)
Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra spent only a year in Ghana, but before he left for Nigeria, he made sure that the message of Ahmadiyyat reached the Ashanti Region. Nayyar left the colony once again in 1922 and was replaced by Al Hajj Fadl-ul-Rahman Hakim, as the first permanent missionary to Ghana. The caliph sent Al-Hajj Abdul Rahim Nayyar who sailed from London to Freetown, in Sierra Leone. Having established the Ahmadiyya movement in Ghana, Nayyar left within a month for Lagos, in Nigeria, before returning again in fall of 1921.
When he first arrived in Kumasi (the capital of the Ashanti region), he held a meeting with about thirty Muslims and some chiefs and appointed the first Ahmadi imam of Kumasi. To this end, Maulvi Hakeem opened secular schools at Ekrawfo, Saltpond and Assin Kwaminatta and urged Ahmadi Muslim parents to send their children to these schools.
In 1922, Maulana Hakeem Fazlur Rehman started a series of meetings at regular intervals in the big Jamaats to maintain constant contact with the members of the Jamaat. In addition to training and preaching purposes, in these jalsas, important issues related to the development of Ahmadiyyat in Ghana were discussed and donations were collected for the Saltpond Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission House, the construction of mosques and schools and other training and preaching programmes.
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The Ghanaian Muslims, at the behest of Chief Mahdi Appah Sahib, therefore took the unique initiative to contact Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) in Qadian through the Review of Religions and requested that a missionary be sent to teach them Islam. In 1921, His Holiness (ra) therefore sent Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyar sahib to Ghana, thereby sowing the seed of Ahmadiyyat for the first time in Africa. It is indeed a sign of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as) that Ahmadiyyat reached Africa through a dream [2].
Early Growth and Expansion (1923-1970)
In 1923, Hakim started an elementary school in Saltpond. Further primary schools were opened in a number of other towns and villages, such as in Mumford and Potsin, all in the coastal regions. By 1927, the Community numbered 3,000 across forty localities in the southern regions and the Ashanti Empire. For the first decade, the Ahmadiyya mission had only a single missionary at any one time, supported by a Fante interpreter. During the 1920s, Hakim conducted open-air lectures across notable locations along the southern coast.
On 2-4 August 1923, the first actual Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana was organised in Essiam. Consideration was given to important matters such as the acquisition of funds from members for the mission’s motor vehicle purchase. A plot of land was purchased in Essiam in the name of the Ahmadiyya Community on October 4, 1923, for a mission house and an Ahmadiyya school. By the grace of God and the efforts of the Jamaat, Jalsa Salana in Ghana continued to be held every year with almost no breaks.
Islamic education continued to expand and in 1950, the first Ahmadiyya Secondary School was opened by Maulvi N. A. Mubashir in Kumasi. In 1932, a Suwarian religious scholar, Salih bin Hassan, originally from Wa, was teaching in Amumoso, a village, roughly nine miles from Kumasi. The Wala leaders expelled the Ahmadis from Wa, on hearing their views. In 1934, Salih himself attempted to introduce the Ahmadiyya teachings in the town. In response, restrictions were placed on him and his family; he was not permitted to leave his house and his family was placed under surveillance. However Salih managed to escape.
It was not until 1936, that he returned to Wa, and as a consequence, the Ahmadiyya presence was strengthened but, on the other hand, Wa became a divided town, with little relationship between Wala's members of Sunni and Ahmadi faiths. In 1939, a non-Ahmadi Muslim came and asked for his sister’s hand in marriage. Saeed Sahib insisted that the man convert to Ahmadiyyat before the marriage was contracted. Adam Kobina Kum, a non-Ahmadi imam in the area, was not happy when he heard of the conversion. Saeed Sahib went to Saltpond anyway to inform Maulana Mubashir about the attitude of the young Arabic scholar.
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When challenged, he refused to talk. Maulana Mubashir nevertheless told him about the signs of the advent of the Promised Messiah. On the night before the meeting at Medina Petuduasi, a massive earthquake rocked southern Ghana. Maulana Mubashir had already arrived at Medina Petuduasi with Alhaj M.A. Thus, the people of southern Ghana witnessed the sign of the appearance of the Mahdi. Pamphlets in both English and Arabic were sent out about the sign. After this incident, many people accepted Ahmadiyyat.
In April 1970, Ghana was blessed with the first visit of a Khalifa when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh came here on a one-week tour. On 20 April 1970, The Daily Graphic reported that Huzoorrh would “meet representatives of the Movement to discuss how best the headquarters could assist in contributing more effectively towards the spiritual and social advancement of the country.”
Nusrat Jehan Scheme (1970)
Under the Ameership of Maulvi A. Wahab Adam, the real revolution in Islamic education occurred in Ghana. The Nusrat Jehan Leap Forward Scheme was initiated by Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifat-ul-Masih IIIrh in 1970. The scheme saw the opening of six secondary schools throughout Ghana. The Wa School was turned into a Teacher Training College, the first ever and only Muslim Teacher Training College in Ghana. Again, under the Nusrat Jehan Scheme of 1970, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission established hospitals, mostly in rural areas, to cater for the health needs of the rural people.
Ahmadiyya hospitals were thus established in Asokore, Kokofu, Techiman, Swedru, Kaleo in Upper West, Daboase and lately, Mim in Brong Ahafo. A homoeopathic clinic, the first ever to be established by a religious organisation in Ghana, was opened by Ameer Maulvi A.
Late 20th Century and Beyond
On August 10, 1974, Abdul Wahab Adam was appointed as the Amir (Head) and missionary-in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission of Ghana by the then caliph of the Ahmadiyya movement, Mirza Nasir Ahmad. Adam was the first indigenous Ghanaian to hold this office. In the early part of his ministry, Adam shifted the headquarters of the Ghanaian Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from Saltpond to the capital of the country, Accra. During the late twentieth century, the Ahmadi missionaries increasingly diverted their attention towards the Christian populations of the country.
A large number of books, fliers and audio cassettes were published to meet the new objective. Articles published and public preaching sessions included titles such as, "Jesus Will not Come Again", "Jesus:Son of God or God?" and "50,000 errors in the Bible". Perhaps as a result of this, the Ahmadi Muslim teachings, and particularly its eschatological doctrines have been the most difficult theological challenge the Ghanaian Christians may have encountered since the late twentieth century. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community significantly increased its social and humanitarian efforts in Ghana. Perhaps the most decisive was the visit to the Gambia by the then Caliph Mirza Nasir Ahmad, whose visit in 1970 was instrumental in the launch of the Nusrat Jahan Scheme which has been responsible for the establishment of a number of schools and hospitals all over West Africa.
The 60th Jalsa Salana Ghana took place from 8-10 January 1987. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh sent a special message for the occasion. He emphasised the significance of such gatherings for spiritual growth and outreach efforts. In 1988, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana was once again blessed with the presence of Khilafat. During his tour, among many other blessed directives, Huzoorrh also drew the attention of the Jamaat towards keeping the names of the early missionaries alive by naming various buildings or institutes after them.
In 1990, the Head of State, Jerry John Rawlings, visited the 63rd Jalsa Salana in Ghana. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is gratifying to note that since the first Ahmadi Muslim Missionary set foot on our soil on 1 March, 1921 [research suggests Maulvi Nayyarra reached Ghana a day earlier on 28 February 1921], the Mission has made tremendous progress. “By its progressive and dynamic policies, the Mission has made an appreciable contribution to our national development in education, health and agriculture.
“It is very sad to sometimes hear some Muslims grumble that Ahmadis are given too much preference when it comes to jobs and positions. The answer is very simple, and has nothing to do with any religious preferences. “It should be noted with satisfaction that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has pursued a policy of tolerance and peaceful co-existence with all other faiths. The Ahmadiyya Mission was the first religious body to advocate the establishment of a Council of Religions in Ghana, which has now been set up.”
“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana deserves commendation for its achievements. Even more important, the Mission must be praised for carrying out its preaching activities in a peaceful manner.” “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has, since its introduction to the country in 1921, preached peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence with all other religions and groups of people. “For all these, the Government is very grateful. It is to be expected that other religious communities will emulate this shining example of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission.”
Huzooraa met President John Agyekum Kufuor the next day on 16 April 2008. Citing one example, President Kufuor recalled how, upon their previous meeting in 2004, Huzooraa had expressed a belief that oil would be found in Ghana. President Kufuor said that these prayers had been accepted; in 2007, oil of a very high standard had been discovered in the country. Hearing this news, Huzooraa commented that he hoped that Ghana could utilise this oil in good ways so that it would continue to develop as a country for the betterment of its people.
The historic Jalsa Salana was held on 17-19 April 2008, and it marked the first time the Ghana Jalsa was held at ‘Bagh-e-Ahmad’, a 400-acre land bought by the Jamaat in 2008. “I have great expectations of Ghana. It is my prayer, that may you always march forward. Perhaps these aspirations are because I spent part of my life here.”
On 21 April 2008, Huzooraa attended a reception, held in his honour at the Central Mission. He said, “I remember almost five years ago, His Excellency visited the United Kingdom and was anxious to meet with me and so we met at the Fazl Mosque in London. Normally, non-Ahmadi Muslims never like to offer prayers behind Ahmadis, but the Vice President did offer prayers in our mosque. I hope that, as he has done in the past, he continues to show such kindness that we cherish a great deal.”
This year, the Ghana Jamaat marks a new milestone; the 91st Jalsa Salana is also a commemoration of 100 years of the Jamaat in Ghana. May the future bring greater achievements for the Jamaat in Ghana and the world as a whole.
Growth in Numbers
By 1927, Ahmadi Muslims were estimated to number 3,000 across the southern regions of Ghana. In comparison, among the northern regions, the city of Wa had roughly 100 Ahmadi Muslim, within five years of its existence. By 1948, Ahmadis were estimated to number over 22,000 and in the 1960 census Ahmadi Muslims were estimated at 175,620. According to Samwini, by the year 2000, the Ahmadiyya movement placed "itself and Islam in a centrally prominent position in Ghana".
In 2010, Pew Research Center estimated Ahmadi Muslims at 16 percent of Ghana's Muslims, thereby representing the largest proportion of Ahmadis to Muslims in any known country. Taking into account census figures for the Muslim population, this corresponds to roughly 635,000 Ahmadi Muslims. By 1961, there were 161 mosques and over 20 schools in Ghana.
Today, the Ahmadiyya movement maintains a large number of schools, colleges and health facilities across Ghana. There are also a large number of Ahmadi mosques, including one missionary training college in Mankessim, near Saltpond, in the Central Region. Unlike a number of Muslim-majority countries where the hostile attitude towards Ahmadi Muslims generates a negative relationship with the Sunni Muslims, there exists a level of cooperation between the two sects in Ghana.
Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
During the blessed era of the Fifth Caliph, Allah the Almighty has blessed the Jama’at with the establishment of a Jamia Ahmadiyya International in Ghana, which offers a seven-year course on religious education, and is open for students from all African countries and beyond.
This institution established by Hazrat Promised MessiahAS produced such tremendous and divine personalities who paved new ways to propagate Islam in the world. They filled the hearts with divine love and illumined barren lands with the light of Islam.
After the migration of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih FourthRH from Rabwah to London in 1984 Jamia Ahmadiyya embarked upon a new journey. This fruitful plant started sprouting new branches and began flourishing. Today following the pattern of Jamia Ahmadiyya many exemplary institutions have been established in the world and Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana is one of them.
At the beginning of fourth Khilafat, Jamia Ahmadiyya had already established in Rabwah and Qadian. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVRH migrated from Rabwah to London in 1984 due to the unfavourable conditions in Pakistan. Keeping in view the advancement and progress of the Jama’at, need was felt to establish branches of Jamia Ahmadiyya in other parts of the world and many suggestions were put under consideration.
In this regard a formal suggestion was presented in 1997 during the international Majlis-e-Shura, London from Jama’at Ahmadiyya Norway in which it was suggested to establish Jamia Ahmadiyya International for European countries. Deep contemplations were made in this regard but it could not see the light of the day.
During the blessed period of Khilafat-e-Khamisa this procedure started again and the first Jamia established abroad was in 2003 in Canada. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVRH also had this wish that Jamia Ahmadiyya should be established in London in the vicinity of Fazl Mosque to keep it in the direct guidance of Khalifatul Masih.
By Allah’s grace, after the detailed analyses, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Al-KhamisATBA inaugurated Jamia Ahmadiyya UK on 1st October 2005 and HuzurATBA inaugurated Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany as well in 2008. Due to the legal restrictions and problems in acquiring visas, there was still a need to establish an independent Jamia for African continent and this suggestion after passing through different stages was presented in 2005 during the Majlis-e-Shura of Jama’at Ahmadiyya Nigeria.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Al-KhamisATBA formed a nine-member committee, which consisted upon Amirs from various countries, under the supervision of respected Abdul Wahab Adam sahib to finalize the details. After many meetings the committee finalized the land of Ghana for Jamia Ahmadiyya International. Then the phase started to choose an appropriate place and finally the decision was made to construct this Jamia in the vicinity of Mankessim, central Region. A sincere Ahmadi respected Alhaj Abu Bakr Anderson sahib offered 70 acres of land for this purpose.
Contributions to Education and Health
From the very beginning, the Ahmadiyya movement adopted Western-style education system and at the same time advocated for Islamic curriculum. In 1928, the Community requested the colonial government for permission to build a mosque and a secondary school in Kumasi. However, the government rejected the application, on the basis that there already existed a Muslim mosque and a school in the region.
The following year, another letter was sent with over 400 signatures from Asante members of the Community. With small number of Muslims being admitted to public schools, the Community petitioned the government, in 1931, to select Muslim members for the government's board of education. Another letter was written in 1946 to the Chief Commission of Ashanti, arguing that most rights and privileges are being afforded to Christians. It was not until 1950 that the colonial government first gave permission to establish an Ahmadiyya school in the Ashanti Empire. The T.I.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission has pursued a policy of tolerance and peaceful co-existence with all other faiths. The Ahmadiyya Mission was the first religious body to advocate the establishment of a Council of Religions in Ghana, which has now been set up.
In contributing to the provision of health service in Ghana, the Jama’at has established about 10 health care facilities, about 7 of them are hospitals while about 2 of them are homeopathic clinics, and one is a herbal clinic.
Table: Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Contributions in Ghana
| Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Education | Over 500 schools, including one training college and about eight senior high schools |
| Health | About 10 health care facilities, including hospitals and clinics |
| Humanitarian Projects | Water for Life project, providing water and electricity to villages |
| Mosques | About 200 or more mosques built across the country |
The Jama’at is also involved in numerous humanitarian projects through the Humanity First foundation, which provides water (through the Water for Life project) as well as electricity to villages and settlements that do not have it.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at boasts of its own printing press called Raqeem Press where they print all their books and other literature to continue spreading the message of Islam Ahmadiyya.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Ghana can also boast of about 13 mission houses across Ghana.
Current Status
Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ghana boasts of about 200 or more mosques built across the country. Years ago, Ahmadis struggled to get a single mosque, but look at us today, we have 200 and more.
In August 2016, MTA Africa was launched when the need for a channel specifically for viewers in Africa was sorely needed. As part of this wonderful establishment of an Ahmadiyya TV channel, on the 15th of January 2021, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) officially launched MTA Ghana. A new digital terrestrial television channel established specifically to meet the needs of the people in Ghana.
Highlighting one of the unique aspects of the channel, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated: “The channel will be utilised to convey the true and beautiful teachings of Islam to the people, God willing. MTA Ghana is the only channel on a digital platform in the country that is solely dedicated to broadcasting Islamic teachings.”
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