IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE VOICES" IN MUSLIM

S E C R E T ACCRA 001935 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR IIP/CCTC (VAN DE VELDE) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2017 TAGS: PGOV KISL PTER GH SUBJECT: IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE VOICES" IN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES THAT REJECT VIOLENCE REF: SECSTATE 122288 Classified By: A/DCM GARY PERGL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). (S/NF) In response to reftel, Post has identified the following & credible voices8 on Islam in Ghana. Responses are keyed to the format in reftel: ¶1. (S/NF) Alhaji Hamidu Borsu Chodi A) Influence. Chodi influences viewers and listeners via his radio and TV programs. He also is able to reach a wide audience through his columns in the two leading Ghanaian newspapers. Chodi also frequently speaks at forums across Ghana. B) Biodata: Chodi was born on November 22, 1954 in Accra. He earned a diploma in journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1981. From there he obtained a B.A. in 1994 and then a Master,s in Political Science in 2000 from the University of Ghana. He also holds a certificate in Human Resource Management. After finishing his studies, Chodi served as the Head of Audience Research at the Ghana Broadcasting Company from 2001-2003. In 2004 he was named Assistant Director of Administration at GBC. In 2006 he became the Deputy Director of Administration before assuming his current role as Director of Administration earlier this year. C) Geographic Influence: Due to the national coverage of Chodi,s radio, TV, and newspaper spots, he is able to reach the entire nation of Ghana. However, since he calls the Upper West region home, he also wields considerable influence in that region. D) Type of audience influenced: Again due to the nature of Chodi,s work, he has the potential to reach and influence a wide range of Ghana,s population. His weekly Islamic television show, Aqeeda, reaches out to both Muslims and non-Muslims. A) Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: No. B) Any known record of advocating violence against the U.S. or its allies: No. C) Ideological position regarding jihad: Against. D) Any known derogatory information on individual: No. E) Any known calls for violence: No. ¶2. (S/NF) Sheikh Armiyawo A) Influence. Armiyawo is the Regional Director under the Islamic Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service in the Greater Accra Region. He is a respected opinion leader within the Muslim community. He conducts a regular TV Talk 
Show on Islam, which has a large audience and airs in seven of the ten regions in Ghana, as well as on the South African satellite DSTV. His role in the Islamic Education Unit allows him to influence the design of curricula in schools under his supervision. B) Biodata: Armiyawo was born on January 1, 1957 in Accra. He studied teaching at a college from 1979 to 1984 and from 1988 to 2000 he studied at the University of Ghana where he studied religion, eventually earning a Master,s in religion. In 1996, he was appointed the Deputy Regional Director of the Islamic Education Unit and held that post until 2003 when he assumed his current role as the Regional Director. C) Geographic Influence: Due to the wide national and international coverage of Armiyawo,s TV program, he is able to reach most citizens in Ghana and even some citizens of neighboring countries. He preaches most often in a mosque in Accra and would have the most influence in the Western, Central and Greater Accra region. D) Type of audience influenced: Armiyawo,s primary audiences are Muslims, youths and intellectuals. A) Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: No. B) Any known record of advocating violence agains the U.S. or its allies: No. C) Ideological position regarding jihad: Against. D) Any known derogatory information on individual: No. E) Any known calls for violence: No. ¶3. (S/NF) Major Umar Sanda Ahmed A) Influence: Ahmed is an Imam with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and holds moderate views that allow him to reach out to many people. He is very close to the Chief Imam of Ghan, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubut. He has significant potential to spread and deepen his influence. B) Biodata: Ahmed was born on May 26, 1957 in the Western Region of Ghana. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 1985 where he studied Arabic and Islamic Religious Studies. The then attended the American University in Cairo for one year. In 1992 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the GAF, and has served as Imam with the airborne force in Tamale, the 4th Battalion in Kumasi, and UNIFIL Ghanbatt 43 and 54. Presently he is the Imam at the Military Academy where he has served since 1999. C) Geographic Influence: Ahmed,s influence is nationwide, given that he serves in the GAF with Ghanaians from every region. He also has roots in the Upper West, Accra, and Western Regions, providing him with the ability to potentially influence people of those regions as well. D) Type of audience influenced: Due to his military service, Ahmed predominantly influences members of the GAF; however he does reach out to civilians on occasion in speeches and television appearances. He is also an active member of the &Muslim Parliament,8 run out of the National Imam,s office, which helps set the national agenda for Ghanaian Muslims. A) Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: No. B) Any known record of advocating violence against the U.S. or its allies: No. C) Ideological position regarding jihad: Against. D) Any known derogatory information on individual: No. E) Any known calls for violence: No. ¶4. (S) COMMENT: During the past several years, Embassy Accra has conducted an extensive Muslim outreach program. We have excellent relations with Ghana,s Muslim community, including these three individuals. While there may be disagreement with U.S. policies, the Ghanaian Muslim community is overwhelmingly moderate, peaceful, and sympathetic toward American values. There is little extremist sentiment among Ghanaian Muslims, who are well integrated into Ghanaian society and get along well with their non-Muslim neighbors and colleagues. Therefore, we would urge caution in reexamining a formula that has been largely successful, as misdirected efforts could have the opposite effect to that intended. END COMMENT. BRIDGEWATER