Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has sharply criticised the Mahama administration’s legislative direction, denouncing the urgent push to amend the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601) as a “misplacement of priorities” amid deepening socioeconomic hardship and a growing backlog of critical reforms.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, during debate on the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, he questioned the Interior Ministry’s justification for invoking a certificate of urgency to fast-track the Bill.
The proposed amendments include the reinstatement of 1st July (Republic Day) as a statutory holiday and National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, the declaration of an additional Muslim holiday (Shaqq Day), and the renaming of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day as Founders’ Day, celebrated on September 21.
Also Read: Parliament approves amended Holidays Bill: Republic Day reinstated, one more Muslim holiday
While acknowledging the symbolic value of such national observances, Afenyo-Markin took issue with the urgency attached to the process, arguing that it trivialised the country’s pressing challenges.
“We do not trivialise Ghana’s heritage or the importance of inclusive celebrations, but to bulldoze a public holidays amendment through Parliament under urgency suggests severely misplaced priorities. This is not an emergency—this is political theatre,” he said.
He further slammed the use of a certificate of urgency—typically reserved for matters involving national crises or pressing public needs—as unjustified.
“A certificate of urgency is not a tool for feel-good declarations. What exactly is the emergency in renaming a day? Is it more urgent than tackling youth unemployment, fixing our health systems, or passing long-promised reforms?”
Afenyo-Markin accused the government of orchestrating legislative distractions to divert public attention from its failure to deliver on core campaign promises. He listed several critical bills that remain unfulfilled despite being cornerstones of the NDC’s 2024 electoral platform.
These include: The Property Rights of Spouses Bill, to protect women’s property rights in marriage; The Domestic Workers Bill, aimed at protecting vulnerable household workers; The Intestate Succession Amendment, to guarantee fair inheritance for spouses and children; The Scholarship Scheme Bill, to end nepotism and ensure merit-based access to state scholarships; and Conflict of Interest and Anti-Corruption Bills, including a proposed ban on public officials acquiring state property.
“The women of Ghana are still waiting. The youth are still unemployed. The corruption loopholes remain open. Yet we’re fast-tracking a holiday. You cannot govern by cherry-picking low-hanging fruit and ignoring the heavy lifts that actually transform lives,” he lamented.
The Minority Leader also criticised what he described as the government’s abandonment of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which he called a blow to industrialisation and job creation.
“The factories lie silent. No continuation, no review, no legislation. This government has done nothing to resuscitate or institutionalise this transformational program,” he charged.
He expressed frustration over the lack of action on lifting the ban on salvaged vehicles, a policy reversal promised to support artisans and spare-parts dealers, but which has yet to materialise.
Turning to environmental concerns, Afenyo-Markin decried the government’s inaction on illegal mining, despite strong anti-galamsey campaign rhetoric.
“There is no Galamsey Ban Bill. No repeal of LI 2462. Just silence and rhetoric while the rivers are dying and forests are falling.”
On the controversial Anti-LGBT+ Bill, he accused the ruling party of political opportunism, citing their pre-election support and current silence.
“They used it to rally votes. Now they avoid it. That’s not governance—it’s manipulation. If they had courage, they would have tabled a government-sponsored bill by now, just like they’re doing with holidays.”
Addressing broader governance and democratic reforms, Afenyo-Markin also criticised the slow pace of constitutional reforms, such as the election of MMDCEs and the abolishment of ex-gratia payments.
“A committee was set up in January—fine. But no bills, no timeline, no urgency. The status quo remains intact. We cannot build democracy on symbolic committees alone.”
He ended with a sharp call to action, urging the government to refocus its energy on life-changing legislation and to stop using Parliament for “public relations gimmicks.”
“Bring the real reform bills to this House, and you will find the Minority cooperative. But don’t expect us to rubber-stamp symbolic gestures disguised as national urgency.”