policy document final (zakat house)

In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

national zakat house, ghana

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POLICY DOCUMENT

MAJOR PARTNERS

UNFPA Ghana

NDPC COMOG

Supported By

CCL AFRICASAHEL SAHARA BANK

Section 1 Annual National Zakat Conference of Muslim

Representatives

Section 2 Aims and Objectives

Section 3 Offices of the House

Section 4 Sources of Income of the House

Section 5 Stakeholder Ownership of the House

Section 6 Functions of the stakeholders

Section 7 Composition of the Board of Trustees

Section 8 Functions of the Board

Section 9 Regional Board of Trustees

Section 10 Meetings of the Board

Section 11 Committees of the House

Section 12 Tenure of Office of the members of Board

Section 13 Termination of Office Holders

Section 14 Management Team

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Motto, Vision and Mission and PartnersBackground

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4 National Zakat House, Ghana-Policy Document

Section

Section 16 Functions of Chief Executive Officer

Section 17 District Zakat Committee

Section 18 Shariah Supervisory Committee

Section 19 Appointment of Other Staff, Operations/Collectors

Section 20 Expenses and Taxes

Section 21 Assets, Bank Accounts, Audit and Appointment

of Auditors

Section 22 Financial and Internal control

Section 23 Reports

Section 24 Remuneration

Section 25 Zakat Ambassador(s)

Section 26 Disbursement

Section 27 Investment

Section 28 Social Entrepreneurs' Scheme

Section 29 Women Welfare Programme-Ferduasi

Section 30 Genious Scholarship Programme

Section 31 Zakat Campaign

Section 32 Organizational Structure

15 Functions of the Management Team 17

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Motto"Charity wipes sins as water extinguishes fire."

Vision To give practical meaning to and institutionalize one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, Zakat, highlight the fiscal policy thereof and to ensure ownership and practice of it by the Muslim Ummah of Ghana through a stakeholder framework that engenders confidence, trust and sustainability

Mission Creating a viable, sustainable and payer-friendly Zakat institution anchored on the principles of taqwa (piety), transparency and accountability and to make it the preferred Zakat payment point and the centre for discussion and resolution of all issues concerning Zakat, by observing these principles and employing the state-of-the-art methodology in the administration of the fund.

Our ValuesThe work of Zakat House shall be guided and underpinned by the following core values:

Respect to Islamic tenets. Democratic governance and management. Holistic, participatory, integrated and result-oriented approach

to programming interventions. Gender equity and full enjoyment of human rights by all

including the minority, marginalized and the vulnerable.

Justice, honesty and caring in our engagement. Transparency and accountability in resource mobilization and

utilization. Entrenchment of stability and social sustainability.

Our Major PartnersThe following are the partners of the House;

?United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)?National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)?Ministry Of Women And Children's Affairs(MOWAC)?National Population Council(NPC)


In the name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful

BACKGROUNDgainst the background of the proposals and resolutions made at

stthe 1 National Zakat Conference in Accra in the year 2003, the platform that revived this initiative was the one long week A

conference of African Religious Leaders held in Sokoto in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund in 2008. The conference urged in its communiqué that all member countries of the Network of African Islamic Organisations for Population and Development should establish National Zakat Funds to support United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) activities in the Muslim communities.

ndThe 2 National Zakat Conference was then organized by the Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG), Ghana's accredited representative on the African Network, and its component bodies in Accra in April 2-4, 2010 under the theme: “Mobilizing resources through Zakat for family and National Development”

The conference, which was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP), was attended by 300 delegates from all the ten regions. The participants including the major sects, personalities from Muslim business community and some Universities in the country. The Special Guest of Honour at the conference was Hon. Hajia Hawawu Boya Gariba, the Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs while the National Chief Imam and The National Imam of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa'a, were the Special Guests.The conference agreed and resolved to establish the National Zakat House to mobilize resources to supplement Government's efforts at achieving poverty reduction, reduction of Maternal Mortality rate and the economic empowerment of women.

The Zakatul MaalZakat is an obligation on Muslims to give a specific amount of their wealth with certain conditions and requirements to the needy. The concept of zakat exemplifies Islam's strong concern and position on social justice and "equitable redistribution of resources for the benefit of the poor and less privileged.


There are two types of zakat in Islam: a flat fee imposed on each person, called zakat al-fitr, and a tax on wealth, called zakat al-mal. Zakatal-fitr refers to the obligation of every Muslim (except those who are absolutely destitute) to contribute a certain amount of staple food or pay an equivalent monetary amount in the month of Ramadan before celebration of the Muslim festive season known as Eid al-Fitr.

Unlike zakatal-fitr, zakatal-mal is levied only on Muslims whose wealth exceeds a threshold called nisab. Before nisab is calculated, the basic needs of the payer and his family, as well as their financial obligations and debts due, are taken into account. Further, the funds are held for one year by the lunar calendar, and nisab is recalculated at the end. These requirements distinguish zakatal-mal from zakatal-fitr, and enable zakatal-mal to be regulated by the state or a well structured system like the proposed Ghana National Zakat Fund.The economic impact of Zakat depends on how it is administered, especially with regard to its collection management and distribution. A well structured with management based on piety and the principles of probity, accountability and transparency, Zakat can make a positive impact and help enhance the quality of life of the Muslim community as a contribution to national development.

Zakat House

The National Zakat House,Ghana is the Zakat authority established by the Muslim Ummah to enhance Muslims awareness in the issue of Zakat and to consolidate its effect and significant role in the domain of development for both, the individual and the whole community. We shall also work to revive the obligation in a practical manner through which the different needy categories would benefit within the legal aspects of Zakat expenditures.

The Zakat House shall put, on the top of its priorities, the idea of how to develop mutual helpfulness and integrity within the community. We shall also try to revive peoples' interest in charitable deeds and help for the needy in accordance with the legal rulings of Islam.

The House shall take up the following steady steps towards achieving many hopes, plans and programmes, which are meant to care for the poor, needy and those entitled to receive Zakat.


The following are some of the policies of the House;

Collection of Zakat

Disbursement of Zakat

Organization and Administration of Zakat

Conducting the recruitments, training, pay and allowance, posting and transfer of headquarters and fields staff in Districts and Regions

· Audit of the House, Regional and District Zakat Housesthrough directorate of Zakat Audit.

· Publicity through mass communication for Disbursement of Zakat.

· Laying down the office procedure for National, Regional and District Zakat.

· Preparation of utilization reports of Zakat House.

· Implementation of the decision of Annual Zakat Conference.

· Provide opportunities and training to poor women in both urban and rural areas to enable them to generate their own income.

· Training for skill formation and entrepreneurship development

· Investment for income generation

· Special care for people with survival challenge

· Ensure productive utilization of Zakat by organizing the poor to undertake income generation activities through micro credit facilities

· To institute National Muslim Business Award of Excellence

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SECTION 1: Annual National Zakat Conference of Muslim RepresentativesThere shall be the organization of a National Zakat Conference of Muslim Representatives, hereinafter referred to as “the Conference”, with the following mandate:

1. The Conference shall be the highest decision making body and shall serve as the Consultative Platform for the highest authority of the Muslim Ummah for the deliberation and assessment of all matters relating to Zakat management and operations.

2. The Conference shall be attended by all the members of the Regional Branches, five (5) national executive members from each of the Stakeholder Organizations/Institutions (SOIs) and other identifiable Muslim groupings.

3. The Conference shall be held annually in the month of Shaban to receive the report, which shall include the audited accounts, from the Board of Trustees of the Zakat House.

4. The organization of the Conference shall be financed from the coffers of the House in consultation and collaboration with the Stakeholder Organizations/Institutions.

5. The Conference shall take stock of Zakat collection, monitor and examine its management in order to ensure sanity, transparency and accountability of the House and report to the Muslim Ummah accordingly.

6. The Conference shall either endorse the performance of the House, or take appropriate remedial measures where the Board has reneged, or ignored laid down policies and procedures and failed to perform satisfactorily in the management and operations of Zakat.

7. The Conference shall take cognizance of current developments in the management of Zakat with a view to making appropriate amendments to this Document to meet the changing needs and challenges of the time.


8. The Regional Conference shall be held a month before the national conference.

9. Regional Conference shall be attended by the District Zakat Committees and some selected Business/Corporate Executives and Islamic Scholars.

SECTIONThe objective of the National Zakat House, Ghana, hereinafter referred to as the House, is:

1. To facilitate an institutionalized platform to enhance collection, disbursement and effective utilization of Zakat Funds.

2. To establish the effectiveness of the tenets of Zakat for reducing poverty and bringing prosperity to our society.

3. To create awareness and enable Muslims to fulfill their religious duty of payment of Zakat in a proper way as per the tenets of Islam.

4. To ensure proper utilisation of Zakat Funds for the well being of the poor in our society as per the tenets of Islam.

5. To develop and implement economic empowerment for women in the deprived communities and provide scholarships to needy students.

6. To make a conscious commitment to making Zakat resources available for utilization to ensure reduction in the rate of maternal death, promoting good Maternal and Child Health, advocacy on Family Life, Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health issues with a view to improving the quality of life of the Muslim Ummah.

7. To bring holistic development to the Muslim Ummah in the areas of education, vocational and entrepreneurial skills development, promotion of science and technology, investments, banking and finance, thereby contributing to national development.

2: Aims and Objectives of the National Zakat House:


SECTION1. The offices of the National Zakat House shall be at the National

Headquarters in Accra.2. The offices of the Regional Zakat House shall be at the Regional

capital.3. The offices of the District Zakat Committee shall be at the District

Capital.4. The Regional Boards of Trustees shall, from time to time, explore

the possibilities of securing or building a separate secretariat for the House, as and when it shall become feasible and financially prudent.

5. The Regional Board of Trustees shall present a proposal to the office of the House, which shall in turn seek approval from the Regional Conference of Muslim Representatives.

SECTION 4: Sources of Income of the House

1. Zakat money provided by Muslims who pay it to the House directly, or from charitable organisations and societies and the like in order to be distributed among those who are entitled to receive Zakat according to Islamic legal rules.

2. The primary source of income for the House shall be the obligatory monetary payment of Zakat by every Ghanaian Muslim, male or female, who qualifies and is liable to pay the Zakat.

3. Other sources of income that shall be explored shall come from the other Zakat deductable wealth or possessions as stipulated by the Sharee'ah, like Pure Gold and Silver, Baheematul An'aam (Camels, Cattle, Sheep and Goats) and Farm/Agricultural produce.

4. Donations and gifts received from other resources, which go with our goals and are accepted by the Board of Trustees.

5. The revenues gained from some of the House investment activities which do not clash with its goals.

3: Offices of the House


SECTION1. The House shall be owned by the Muslim Ummah through the

three main sects and some organizations with a nationwide and strategic presence in Ghana. The following shall constitute the stakeholders of National Zakat House, Ghana:

2. Ahlussunna Wal-Jama'a. (ASWAJ)3. Shia Muslim Community4. Tijjaaniyyah Muslims5. Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG).6. Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Ghana

(FOMWAG).7. National Council of Muslim Chiefs. (NCMC)8. Ghana Islamic Society for Education and Reformation (GISER)9. Ghana Muslim Students' Association (GMSA).10. Ghana Muslim Mission (GMM)11. National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)

representing the Developing Partners. The nominee to the Board shall be a Muslim (man or woman)

12. To ensure the inclusion of other Muslims who may not belong to any of the above identified bodies and yet have great professional backgrounds and varying expertise, The Board shall have the responsibility of ensuring the selection, nomination and appointment, as the case may be, of such persons in the structures of the House across the country, as shall be required by this Policy Document.

SECTION 6: Functions of the StakeholdersThe stakeholders shall have the following functions:

1. They shall constitute the bodies that shall select representatives to all relevant structures created by this Document for the House.

2. Shall ensure best practices in the performance of the function in section 1 above in order to maintain unity and harmony within the various sects and organizations.

3. Maintain the highest level of oversight responsibility of ensuring that the House is duly held responsible and accountable to the Muslim Ummah at an Annual National Conference of Muslim

5: Stakeholder Ownership of the House


Representatives platform.4. National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) shall

nominate a Muslim to represent the state and other Developing and Implementing Partners (MOWAC, UNFPA, NPC and MOFEP) on the Board.

SECTION 1. The Board shall be made up of one (1) representative from each of the stakeholder members with at least one of the ff backgrounds;

1. Sharee'ah (Islamic Law) 2. Legal expert.3. Administration or Management expert.4. Economic expert.5. Banking and Finance.6. Financial /Accounting professional.7. Social Science .

2. Zakat House Governing Board shall comprise of thirteen respected members of our community. To make a transparent, effective and sustainable faith based social enterprise; this body shall be assisted by Shariah Advisory Committee, the Management Committee and other sub-committees/departments. The following shall form the Board of Trustees of the House ;

1. National Chief Imam's Representative2. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa'a (ASWAJ)3. Tijjanyya Muslims4. Shia Muslim Community of Ghana5. Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) 6. National Council of Muslim Chiefs.(NCMC)7. Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Ghana (FOMWAG)8. Ghana Islamic Society for Education and Reformation (GISER) 9. Ghana Muslim Mission (GMM)10. Ghana Muslim Students' Association (GMSA) 11. National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)12. Chief Executive Officer13. Chairman

7: Composition of the Board of Trustees


SECTIONThe National Zakat House shall have the following mandate:

1. Shall be the highest policy formulation and decision-making body of the Fund.2. Shall exercise supervisory role over all the entire Regional Zakat House.3. Implement the policies and decisions of the Conference.4. Shall be accountable to the Conference of Muslim Representatives.5. Shall have the right to enter into contract(s).6. Shall have the right to acquire, purchase and hold movable and immovable property.7. Shall have the right to convey, assign and transfer any movable or immovable property or any interest in property vested in it.8. Cause the Books of the Regional Zakat House to be externally audited annually, and determine the fees for External Auditors.9. Co-opt or engage any person or group of persons to perform specific functions as and when it shall be deemed necessary.10. Document and safeguard the House property.11. Have the right to form or belong to a body or bodies to liaise with International Zakat organizations or bodies, as well as attend local and international Zakat conferences, seminars and fora, and invite professional expertise, suggestions and advice.12. Shall have a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name.13. Shall choose one of the members as vice Chairman to undertake the chairman's duties in his absence.14. Organize the Annual National Zakat Conference of the House in collaboration with the Stakeholder Institutions/Organizations and other developing partners.

SECTION 9: Regional Board of TrusteesThe House shall have, at the regional levels, a body that shall be designated the Regional Board of Trustees (RBoT), hereinafter known as the Board, and it shall have the following mandate:

1 Shall be the decision-making body and operators of the Zakat at the regional level.

8: Functions of the Board


2. Shall have the right to enter into contract(s) with approval by the Headquarters3. Shall supervise the Zakat activities at regional and district levels and report to the Chief Executive Officer.4. The regional management shall be headed by the C.E.O.5. The regional management shall have the same composition as the National.6. Shall constitute same sub-committees to support the management committee.7. Shall undertake mobilization of Zakat from all District Zakat Committees, investment and disbursement to the District Committees.8. Shall form Zakat Committees in all Districts with the composition of the Board of Trustees.9. Shall be accountable to the Regional Conference of Muslim Representatives.

SECTION1. The Board shall meet for the dispatch of its business at such places as the Chairman may determine, but shall meet at least once every three months.2. At all Board meetings, two-thirds (? ) of the membership shall form a quorum.3. The Chairman of the Board shall preside over every meeting, and in his absence the Vice Chairman shall preside.4. The Board shall hold Quarterly Review Meetings within ten (10) clear days after the end of a quarter.5. The Board shall hold Annual Performance Review Meetings of the House within the first forty five [45] days of an ensuing year but shall be before the Annual Appraisal and Performance Review Meeting of the House.6. Co-opt or engage any person or group of persons to attend its meetings as and when it shall be deemed necessary, except that the co-opted or engaged person or group of persons shall not vote.7. Except as otherwise provided under this section, the Board shall determine and regulate the procedure for its meetings.

10: Meetings of the Board


SECTIONThe Board shall, for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives of the House, form, in addition to any other or others as it shall deem necessary, the following committees, comprising members and non members of the Board and may assign to them such of its functions as it may decide.

1. Sharee'ah/Legal advisory Committee.2. Disbursements Committee.3. Investments and Projects Committee.4. Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.5. Human Resource Development Committee.6. Research, Education and Communications Committee.The Board shall create any other committee(s) as the exigencies of time shall require and in the creation of such units or departments the Board shall have regard to financial feasibility and prudence.

SECTION 12: Tenure of Office Members of the Board1. The members of the Board shall serve a term not exceeding Four

(4) years, and that no member shall serve for more than Two (2) consecutive terms.

2. The chairman of the Board shall notify the stakeholders of vacancies that occur in the membership of the Board within one month of the occurrence of the vacancy.

3. Where a person is appointed to fill a vacancy, that person shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the previous member and shall, subject to the provisions of this Policy Document, be eligible for re-appointment.

4. A member of the Board who wishes to resign from office shall, by a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board through the Chief Executive officer, declare his intention.

SECTION 13: Termination of Office HoldersAny member of the Board of the House shall cease to hold office if he/she is affected by any of the conditions specified below:

1. Ceases to be a Muslim.2. Resigns or retires.3. Is convicted of a criminal offence by a competent court or

11: Committees of the House


Sharee'ah Body.4. Is dismissed from office for non-performance by at least two-

thirds (? ) majority vote of no confidence by the appointing body.5. Leaves the country permanently.6. Vacates his post unceremoniously for half a year.7. If his actions bring the name of the House into disrepute.8. The chairman of the Board or any other member may be

removed from office by the National or Regional Conference for inability to perform the functions of his/her office, for stated misbehavior or for any other just cause.

SECTION1. There shall be a Management Team at both the national and regional levels which shall be appointed by the respective Boards.The members of the Management Team shall be:

i. Chief Executive Officerii. Director of Finance and Administration.iii. Director of Business Development and Investment.iv. Director of Disbursements.v. Director of Monitoring and Evaluation.vi. Director of Education and Corporate Affairs.vii.Director, ICT and Research

2. The Board shall have the power to appoint other officers and consultants of the House as and when the exigencies of time shall demand and the Board in exercising this power shall have regard to the financial feasibility and prudence of such appointment decision.

SECTION 15: Functions of the Management TeamThe Management Team shall be the managers of the House at both

National and Regional levels, and shall:1. Implement the policies and decisions of the Board of Trustees.2. Maintain a high level of good corporate governance in the

management of House.3. Prepare and present to the Board proposals for the recruitment of

personnel whose functions shall become necessary for the effective and efficient running of the House Secretariat.

14: Management Team


4. Liaise and collaborate with state institutions (MMDAs) whose functions have a direct link with Zakat administration.

5. Formulate, or cause to be formulated, General Zakat Policies in line with the Sharee'ah, Rules and Regulations and Guidelines for the management and operations of the House.

6. Formulate accounting and financial reporting standards for the House in line with national and or International Accounting and Financial Standards.

7. Co-ordinate and harmonize the operations and management of all the Regional House.

8. Establish, manage and maintain a National Website for the House.9. Institute effective Internal Control Systems for all the Regional Boards.10. Prepare Annual Budgets for the House.11. Design, or cause to be designed, regulate and disseminate general

Zakat information.12. Develop and build the human resource base of the Fun House.13. Develop or cause to be developed a Code of Ethics and a Volunteers'

Manual for those who would want to volunteer in offering their time and expertise to the House.

14. Perform any other functions it may deem necessary.

SECTIONThe Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall be a member of the Board and shall be appointed by the Stakeholder Organizations and shall perform the following functions:

1. Ensure the functional implementation of the Policies, Guidelines, Rules and Regulations of the House.2. Provide overall and strategic leadership for the House3. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the House.4. Ensure adherence to and compliance with Internal Control systems.5. Maintain and manage the Information Management Systems (IMSs) of the House.6. Implement and maintain Performance Appraisal Systems (PASs) for the committees, management members and the Regional Board.7. Assist in the selection and recruitment of high caliber and competent staff for the House secretariat.

16: Functions of the Chief Executive Officer


8. Ensure the highest degree of corporate governance and controls.9. Ensure the regular and prompt preparation and submission of quarterly, annual and any other relevant report(s) to the Board.10. Manage and supervise the processing of documentation in respect of all prospective beneficiaries of Zakat.11. Carry out any other duties that may be assigned from time-to-time by the Board.

SECTION1. Shall collect Zakat from individuals and appointed collectors within the district2. Shall disburse the Zakat approved by the Zakat House both the national and regional 3. Shall organize educational programmes and Annual District Conference.

SECTION 18: Shariah Supervisory CommitteeIn order to ensure that all activities fall within the boundaries of the Islamic Shariah, House shall appoint five esteemed scholars and experts in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence and Zakat, three from the three main Sects mainly the Tijjannyya, Ahlussunna Wal Jama'a and Shia .

SECTION 19: Appointment of Other Staff, Operatives/Collectors1. The Chief Executive Officer shall appoint other personnel necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the House.2. The number of other staff, operatives and collectors that shall be engaged may vary from one Regional Board to another, depending on the needs of the Boards, and they shall sign a Guarantee Bond as a condition for their engagement.

SECTION 20: Expenses and Taxes 1. Voluntary and Administrative expenses of the House shall be

paid out of the House budget subject to the approval of the Board.

17: District Zakat Committee


2. All expenses shall be properly incurred, raised pre-vouched and passed before it can be paid.

3. The House shall abide by all statutory provisions regarding tax calculations, payments and exemptions.

4. The House shall apply to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the instance where it would want any tax waiver regarding the operations of the Funds.

SECTIONAuditors

1. The assets of the House shall be vested in the respective Regional Boards of Trustees and they shall hold same in trust for the Muslim Ummah at the regional levels.2. There shall be two accounts for the House. The signatories shall be three (3), Principal Signatory and one other person being able to transact business on behalf of the House.3. The signatories to the Account of the National Zakat House shall include:The Board Chairman and he shall be the Principal Signatory for the National Zakat House Accounts.· The Vice Chairman of the Board and· The Chief Executive Officer

4. The signatories to the second Accounts of the National Zakat House shall include:· The Chief Executive officer (C.E.O.) of the National Zakat House, who shall be the Principal Signatory.· The Director of Business Development and Investment.· The Director of Finance and Administration5. The Signatories to the Regional Zakat Fund Current Accounts shall include:· The Regional Chairman of the Board and he shall be the Principal Signatory,· The Regional Administrator of the House, and· The Regional Director of Finance and Administration6. The Signatories to the District Zakat Committee Accounts shall include:· The Chairman of the committee who shall be the Principal Signatory,

21: Assets, Bank Account(s), Audit and Appointment of


· The Administrator of the House, and· The Finance Officer.7. All Value books, Cheques and Pass Books shall be under the control of the Chief Executive Officer of the Houseor any duly appointed officer as the case may be.· The Accounts of the House shall be audited annually by competent auditors who shall be appointed by the National Zakat House Board.· The books and the accounts of the House shall be audited annually by a chartered accounting firm or a professional auditor who shall be appointed by the Board.8. The Bank for the National Zakat House, Ghana, shall be the Sahel Sahara Bank (BSIC)

SECTION1. The Board shall in writing provide arrangement for distribution of monies from the Fund.2. Cheques may only be issued upon the directive of the Board and shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer and two other members of the House.

SECTION 23: ReportsThe Board shall within one month after the receipt of the annual report submit the report to Annual Conference for deliberation and approval.

SECTION 24: Remunerations 1. All office holders or persons assigned certain duties in/by the House shall receive remunerations and perquisites as shall be proposed by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Conference.2. The supporting staff and volunteers of the Management Team shall receive remunerations or allowances as shall be commensurate with their respective duties.3. The conditions of service of all officers/personnel who shall be engaged by the House shall be stated clearly in the Engagement Contract at the time of engagement.

22: Financial and Internal Controls


SECTION1. The Board of Trustee shall appoint well known Islamic scholar, a footballer, a broadcaster, a Corporate Executive and two political figures as Zakat Ambassadors of a period of two years subject to renewal.2. The Ambassador shall carry the flag of the Zakat to the General Public.

SECTION 26: DisbursementsFor the purpose of effecting the distribution of Zakat to its rightful beneficiaries, the House shall abide by the following:

1. The eight (8) beneficiaries mentioned in the Holy Qur'aan, Suuratut-Tawbah “Repentance” (9), verse 60, shall be the primary reference point.

2. The House shall prioritize the distribution of the Zakat so as to ensure equity.

3. The House shall give priority to the wellbeing of women and children.

4. The distribution of Zakat to the deserving beneficiaries shall be carried out by District Zakat Committees that shall be created at district levels throughout the country.

5. The House shall remit quarterly sixty percent (60%) of all monetary incomes, i.e., the obligatory monetary Zakat payment and the other monetary incomes to the Savings Accounts opened at the regional levels for the purpose of disbursement to the very qualified beneficiaries of Zakat.

6. The House shall endeavour to make allocations in respect of the sixty percent (60%) remittance to the following disbursement categories as shall respond to priority and urgent needs of the community:

a. Subsistence/Food allowances.b. Healthcare assistance.c. Education assistance to needy but brilliant wards, pupils

and students.d. Educational institutions.e. Rehabilitation assistance and Social Welfare institutions.

25: Zakat Ambassadors


f. Microcredit/Microfinance: Provide microcredit or small-interest-free loans to those in need to facilitate entrepreneurial efforts, particularly women.

g. Housing/Accommodation assistance.7. The House shall disburse some of the Zakat funds retained on

emergency grounds to people affected by floods and other disasters.

8. In the exercise of the powers conferred onto it, the House shall have regard to the pressing needs of each region so as to achieve maximum benefit and reach the very needy of the communities across the country.

9. The National Board shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a research-based and time-tested manual on modalities and guidelines for the implementation of disbursements of the Zakat.

SECTION 27: 1. The House shall retain forty percent (40%) of all monetary incomes,

i.e., the obligatory monetary Zakat payment and the other monetary incomes for the purpose of investment in Sharee'ah complaint business ventures so as to generate more income towards achieving the aims and objectives of the Fund.

2. The forty percentage (40%) retained shall be invested, inter alia, in any of the following broad areas:

a. Construction of buildings (Real-Estate) for rentals, the profits of which shall go to further augment the kitty of the Fund.

b. Land Owner-House Partnership: Exploring the opportunities and potentials of getting landowners to credit their land for real-estate development and the landowners in return owning equity in the property from the land so credited.

c. Investing in the educational sector by building schools of good and modern standards, from the lowest to the highest levels.

d. Investing in the agricultural sector by exploring avenues for the establishment of farms and plantations.

e. Investing in the health sector by exploring the possibilities for the establishment and manning of clinics and hospitals.

f. Exploring the potentials and opportunities for the creation of a Zakat

Investments


Venture Capital Trust Fund for the support and promotion of Venture Capital Financing [Microfinance/Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)] as a means of supporting entrepreneurial initiatives and ventures.

3. The forty percent (40%) of the retention shall be reviewed as and when is shall be necessary at the Conference.

4. Regional Investment The Regional Board shall invest in micro-financing to women and youth businesses for profit sharing, organize capability building programmes and entrepreneurial training programmes.

SECTION1. We shall work with and look for people with ideas and the

inspiration to benefit our communities.2. A social enterprise is a business which is purely for the social

good and gain, rather than for profit. Zakat House shall work to encourage and cultivate social enterprises so that humanity may benefit.

3. We shall encourage entrepreneurs and social businesses and enterprises with innovative ideas and solutions to social, environmental and community problems to approach us, whom we will work with and support them to develop their ideas with resources and financial backing.

SECTION 29: Women Welfare Programme-Ferdausi 1. Developing entrepreneurship skills of women shall be a key area of interest for Zakat House. It has often been seen that with a little bit of help and assistance, many women have managed to overcome poverty, by being small entrepreneurs. Among the poor and needy there are women folk, who have the willingness, strength and determination to become owners of small businesses.

2. Zakat House shall provide Microcredit which is the extension of small, interest-free loans to those in need to facilitate entrepreneurial efforts by women.

3. The programme shall benefit the women by increasing the

28: Social Entrepreneurs' Scheme


income of women, reduce poverty, discourage begging in the Muslim Communities and encourage economic empowerment of women.

SECTION1. The Genius Scholarship Programme shall provide educational support for the academically meritorious and financially needy young Muslim students to pursue their studies and to train them in specific fields in order to improve their socio-economic conditions, preserve their cultural and religious identities and make a meaningful contribution to the development of the Muslim Ummah.2. Under the Programme, the students shall be required to take part in

the development of their communities, through their respective professions, in addition to their normal studies.

SECTION 31: Zakat Campaign1. The House shall organize campaigns to sensitise the general public

about the need to support the Zakat House activities and to pay Zakat.

2. The sensitization shall be in the Newspapers, Internet, Radio, Television and through Postal Service to High ranking figures and Prominent business men.

3. Ramadan shall be instituted as the Zakat month for sensitization of the Muslim Ummah of their obligation to fulfill the third pillar of Islam.

30: Genius Scholarship Programme


Section 32: Organizational Structure

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Regional BranchesManagement Teamsand Sub Committees

Chiefs Executive Officer

National Conference Of Muslims Representatives

District Zakat Committees

Shari 'a Supervisory Unit

Stakeholder Institutions/Organizations

Board of Trustees


IT IS PERTINENT TO MENTION THAT THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL HAVE THE ULTIMATE PREROGATIVE TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THIS POLICY DOCUMENT FROM TIME TO TIME.

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Fax: 0302 661 529 | www.ghanazakat.com

policy document final (zakat house)

Documents

zakat campaignsection

zakat ambassadorssection

mercifulnational zakat

valuesthe work of zakat

preferred zakat payment

fiscal policy

muslim ummah of ghana

reports section