Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha has accepted an interim term after the ASWAJ council voted Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam out as National Imam.

Published 7 Nov 2026, 06:57 GMTUpdated 7 Nov 2026, 07:10 GMT

3 min read

Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, left, and Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha, right — Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam (left), removed as ASWAJ National Imam, and interim National Imam Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha (right)

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The National Da'awa Council of Ahlussunna Wal Jama'a has removed Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam as National Imam and named a Northern regional imam to hold the office for now.

Four members were recorded absent: Sheikh Dr Bashir Adam, Sheikh Zackaria Addo, Sheikh Khidir Adam and Sheikh Dr Abbass Sakhr.

Article 11(3), as the resolution cites it, allows the council that elected the National Imam to remove him by a two-thirds vote of no confidence. The names set out in the resolution come to 25.

The Council says the vote followed allegations of constitutional violations and misconduct.

Those claims remain the Council's; the resolution does not spell them out.

Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, removed as National Imam of ASWAJ by a vote of no confidence — Credit: ASWAJ Ghana

Sheikh Umar was notified on 18 October and given until 27 October to respond. The Council says that, by the day of the vote, his office had sent neither a written nor a spoken reply.

By Saturday morning, no public response to the removal had appeared from him or from his office.

The office was declared vacant from 4 November. He was directed to hand over ASWAJ property, official documents, stamps, records and other assets at once.

The Council said registration authorities, financial institutions and other stakeholders should be told, and that a substantive National Imam should then be elected under the constitution.

On Wednesday the Council appointed Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha, its Northern Regional Imam and a founding member, as interim National Imam. He is also referred to as Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha.

Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha, ASWAJ Northern Regional Imam, now interim National Imam — Credit: ASWAJ Ghana

The notice says the step is to "ensure administrative continuity, maintain institutional stability and facilitate a smooth transition". It cites no constitutional clause for an interim appointment.

Among the 21 names in the resolution is Sheikh Bashaa Ibrahim, the Northern Regional Imam.

On Friday, after prayers in Tamale, he accepted. "I accept it with both hands, and I will try my best to ensure that everything falls in line," he said at a briefing.

He asked online commentators to speak in a way that supports peace.

The Council has asked members to remain calm, to keep to the constitution, and to protect the peace and unity of the organisation.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

ASWAJ removes Sheikh Umar and names Sheikh Barsha interim imam

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