The Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF), Alhaji Halidu Haruna, and the Presidential Coordinator in charge of Zongo Development at the Office of the President, Alhaji Abu Sadat Babanlamie, have set out a new direction for Zongo communities with a focus on investment reforms and youth development.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Federation of Muslim Councils (FMC) in Accra, Alhaji Haruna said when they assumed office, the fund lacked a clear investment and funding policy, a gap he said had limited its impact over the years.

Alhaji Haruna said his outfit had, therefore, drafted and submitted a new policy to the board for approval to guide how resources would be invested and managed going forward.

Mandate

The chief executive also explained that the fund’s mandate went beyond disbursing government allocations and included making strategic investments that could generate returns to support development projects in Zongo communities.

He said the proposed policy would help the fund engage in carefully selected ventures capable of yielding benefits to the fund, while supporting social and economic development in inner-city communities.

Islamic vocational education model

On education, Alhaji Haruna said the fund was advancing what he described as a TVET Education School Model and scholarships — an Islamic vocational education initiative aimed at combining the teaching of religion and technical training.

He mentioned Adenta and Amasaman as areas where there were opportunities to strengthen existing structures and expand access to secondary and vocational education.

“We have introduced the TVET education model to blend Islamic and vocational training, and we are engaging stakeholders to strengthen secondary school access in Zongo communities,” the CEO added.

Mr Haruna also announced the creation of learning centres designed to guide young people who were not yet attached to any formal mentorship or structured programme within their communities.

He said the centres would provide safe and conducive spaces for learning, skills training and moral guidance, particularly for vulnerable youth.

The General-Secretary of the Federation of Muslim Councils, Hajj Muhammed Amir Kpakpo Addo, commended the executive of the fund for the various development initiatives, and assured the Presidential Coordinator of the Zongo Development Fund of the council’s support in its outreach programmes.

The Zongo Development Fund was established in 2017 to support infrastructure, education, health and economic empowerment projects in Zongo and inner-city communities.

Over the years, concerns have been raised about funding adequacy and project continuity.

The new leadership said it was committed to strengthening governance, improving project delivery and ensuring that allocations, including any future fund releases from government, are managed under a clear policy framework to deliver measurable impact in Zongo communities.