President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce an additional public holiday for Eid al-Fitr, a move that fulfills a campaign promise to honor Islamic traditions in Ghana. The declaration was made during a National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra.
According to President Mahama, the new holiday will be officially recognized once Parliament resumes and amends the Holidays Act. This initiative will provide Ghanaians with two public holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr after Ramadan. The President assured that legislative amendments would be expedited to implement the change within the year.
In addition to the new holiday, President Mahama reaffirmed his government's efforts to make the Hajj pilgrimage more accessible. He announced the formation of a five-member Hajj task force, led by Asutifi South MP, Collins Dauda. The task force's primary responsibilities include negotiating arrangements to drastically reduce Hajj fares, enabling more Muslims to perform the pilgrimage.
The task force is set to travel to Saudi Arabia next week to attend the annual Hajj conference, where discussions will center on lowering costs for Ghanaian pilgrims. This move is expected to make the Hajj pilgrimage more affordable and accessible to Ghanaian Muslims.
President Mahama's announcement has been welcomed by the Muslim community in Ghana, who see it as a significant step towards recognizing and honoring their traditions. The introduction of an additional Eid al-Fitr public holiday is expected to promote unity and inclusivity among Ghanaians of different faiths.
The move is also seen as a demonstration of President Mahama's commitment to promoting religious tolerance and understanding in Ghana. By recognizing the importance of Eid al-Fitr and the Hajj pilgrimage, the President is sending a strong message about the value of diversity and inclusivity in Ghanaian society.
Overall, the introduction of an additional Eid al-Fitr public holiday is a significant development that is expected to have a positive impact on the Muslim community in Ghana. It is a move that promotes unity, inclusivity, and recognition of Islamic traditions in Ghana.
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