The Role and Responsibilities of the Chief Imam of Ghana: Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu

Nov 06, 2025 0

His Eminence the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, born on 23 April 1919, is a highly revered Ghanaian Islamic cleric who serves as the Chief Imam of Ghana and a member of the National Peace Council. He is known for his commitment to fostering unity and understanding among diverse religious communities.

Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam of Ghana

Early Life and Education

Sheikh Osmanu began his educational journey at home under the tutelage of his parents, Sheikh Imam Nuhu Sharubutu and Hajja Ayishatu Abbass. His father, recognizing his devotion to learning, sent him to Kumasi to study under Sheikh Abdullah Dan Tano. There, he underwent advanced courses in Arabic Grammar, Literature, Islamic Jurisprudence, and Al-Hadiths. After his studies in Kumasi, he devoted himself to teaching Muslim youth who aspired to become Islamic scholars and thinkers.

Journey to Kumasi

When his father saw his true devotion and love for books and knowledge, he decided to send Osman to a new learning environment. It was later decided that Kumasi, the Garden City and capital of the Ashanti Region, would be his new learning destination. The prominent Islamic Scholar Sheikh Abdullah Dan Tano became his next teacher. That was where he went through a highly advanced course in Arabic Grammar, Arabic Literature and Texts, the study of Islamic Jurisprudence and Al-Hadiths (practices of the Holy Prophet). He remained there until he graduated with distinction from Kumasi.

Islamic Activities

Sheikh Osman was well known for his exemplary lifestyle and generosity to people who called on him with their personal problems. He also built many Arabic Schools, Islamic Centers and Mosques. Normally he spends huge sums money in Organizing conferences, seminars and symposia on thorny Islamic issues prevailing in the Islamic societies and the country as a whole.

Appointment and Leadership

Sheikh Sharubutu's journey to leadership began in 1974 when he was first appointed as the Deputy Regional Chief Imam. During this period, he deputized his cousin, Imam Muhammed Mukhtar Abbas, who succeeded his father. By 1974, Sheikh Sharubutu had earned recognition as a respected scholar within Muslim communities, eventually assuming leadership roles within the Tijaniyya sect. In 1993, he was ceremoniously appointed as the National Chief Imam of Ghana to head the Ghana Muslim Communities.

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The interesting aspect of the man’s life is that he did not clamor for the Imamship. Islamic leadership came to him as a natural calling. Since his childhood days, he rarely had time to play because he was completely devoted to his books, which helped him tremendously to commit to memory various Al-hadiths of the Holy Prophet, Islamic texts, Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic literature.

His appointment was done in consideration of his dedication to teaching Islam.

Role and Responsibilities

The interview seeks a description of the functions of the National Chief Imam in a country where every administration region has its own chief Imam.

As an imam and peace maker he presides over marriages throughout Accra and some parts of the regions and has a committee for resolving disputes. He has taken part in settling many chieftaincy, ethnic and other disputes to the admiration of many people in Ghana. He personally presided over the reopening of a food chain joint known as Marwarko at Maamobi after it was vandalized by rampaging youth. Apart from leading prayers annually during Eid al Fitr and Adha and sometimes going on pilgrimage to Mecca, he holds Mauled Nabiyi, the ceremony marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed annually during which he offers prayers for the nation and all its citizens. He is (apolitical) not aligned to a particular political party. For that matter he receives all party leaders at his home and accepts their invitations to functions.

He responds to calls for non denominational activities towards peace in Ghana and world peace. That is why he is a member of the National Peace Council and many other committees at religious and governmental levels.

National Chief Imam with other religious leaders

Commitment to Peace and Unity

One personality in Ghana, who is revered by almost all well meaning people at home and abroad, is the National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu. He is humble and approachable. He is also a philanthropist having cultivated the habit of giving to the poor and needy especially the youth and children seeking education.

His historic visit to Accra’s Christ the King Catholic Church during an Easter service in 2019 symbolized his commitment to fostering unity and understanding among diverse religious communities. A Christian minister who once visited the imam said we in Ghana are blessed to have such a rare peace loving Islamic cleric who he described as a unifier. Yes, I found the imam as a man who would not condone, promote or support extremism.

The reason for the outpouring of commendation to the chief imam is not just because of the age he has attained. It has to do with his accomplishments in life and as an Imam or Muslim leader.

At any point in time since his childhood till date he has been hammering on the need for all Ghanaians, Muslims and Christians to live in peace, saying that any divisive tendencies could leave room for our enemies to penetrate to defeat us.

In March 2021, Sharubutu praised the chief of Ejura for settling a dispute between the Imam of Ejura and the Zongo Chief. In May 2021, Godfred Dame stated that Sharubutu plays an important role in ensuring the country is a beacon of human rights in Africa.

He has taken part in settling many chieftaincy, ethnic and other disputes to the admiration of many people in Ghana.

Philanthropy and Community Support

A visit to his home being renovated into a palace, at Fadama, a suburb of Accra would reveal a huge number of people trooping daily to take their food daily from morning from till night. Apart from those people, he receives a number of people who call to seek counseling free of charge on spiritual and social issues. Today the home of the National Chief Imam has become home to strangers, and travelers coming to Ghana from the neighboring West Africa nations like Chad, Mali, Senegal and Niger to mention but a few.

The Chief Imam has consistently expressed concerns about our economy and our obligations as citizens,” the spokesperson relayed. Highlighting the importance of financial independence, the Chief Imam stated that a nation that effectively collects and manages its taxes can avoid excessive borrowing and external influence. “Whoever is engaged in any economic activity must honor their tax obligations,” he stressed.

Additionally, the Chief Imam commended President John Mahama for his continuous support of the Muslim community in Ghana. “We have witnessed significant interventions from the president that have positively impacted the Muslim community,” he noted.

From the amounts given on him Sheikh Osman deserves the award given him by the University of Ghana who bestowed on him an honorary Doctorate Degree. He deserves more of that from any Islamic University or Higher Institution of learning; also he really deserves the accolade of a great Moslem leader due to his immense contribution and love for maintaining peace and development in Ghana. He is also contributing to the revival of good values and reform in the Moslem youth, Islamic faith and the Moslem communities.

Legacy

Sheikh Osman also taught Islamic scholars and Sheikhs. Among his students are Sheikh Yahya El-Ameen, Mallam Adam Attah, Mallam Saeed, Alhadji Jibril Madaha, Mallam Ibrahima Nyass, Mohammed Muniru "Dan Alfah", Mallam Mustapha Yaa Jalala, Mallam Habibu Gora, and Mallam Zurkanain, to mention just a few.

In recent times, to climax his passion for education, smooth and mutual interfaith relations and peaceful coexistence, peace building and unity, he founded two organizations that are making great marks and impacting positive changes in the lives of Ghanaians and the World in general.

The works and activities of the Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu Education Trust Fund (SONSETFUND) and the Islamic Peace and Security Council of Ghana (IPASEC) cannot be over emphasized or over looked in the contemporary Ghana.

Since 2015, a football tournament for Zongo communities named the Ramadan Cup also the Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup is organized in his honor.

Nevertheless, Sheikh Osman also taught Islamic scholars and Sheikhs.

To sum up, Sheikh Osman ranks high among the erudite and prominent Islamic Scholars Ghana has ever produced, among his contemporaries are sheikh Kamâludeen who is currently serving as the Deputy National Chief Imam of Ghana and the late Sheikh Alhadji Haroun Rasheed.

As the Muslim community marks Eid, His Eminence the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu urged the youth to uphold the virtues of Ramadan, including discipline, respect for the law, and consideration for others in their celebrations.

The sermon further encouraged the youth to uphold the virtues of Ramadan, including discipline, respect for the law, and consideration for others in their celebrations.

Today the home of the National Chief Imam has become home to strangers, and travelers coming to Ghana from the neighboring West Africa nations like Chad, Mali, Senegal and Niger to mention but a few.

He is also the founder of the Dr.

The Chief Imam also addressed newly appointed government officials, urging them to serve with loyalty, humility, and dedication. “Those appointed by the president must demonstrate commitment, loyalty, and hard work,” he advised.

He is also contributing to the revival of good values and reform in the Moslem youth, Islamic faith and the Moslem communities.

Sharubutu started his education at home from his father during the day & with his mother at night.

After his studies in Kumasi, he devoted his time in teaching the Muslim youth who want to become Islamic thinkers and scholars.