A Missed Opportunity for National Unity: NPP’s Resistance to Muslim Holiday Recognition Deeply Regrettable
USA ZONGO CAUCUS PRESS STATEMENT
Date: July 1, 2025
Contact: Office of the USA Zongo Caucus Coordinator*
Email: us************@***il.com
Location: Bronx, New York, USA
A Missed Opportunity for National Unity: NPP’s Resistance to Muslim Holiday Recognition Deeply Regrettable
The USA Zongo Caucus expresses its deep concern and disappointment over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) opposition to the recently passed Muslim Public Holidays Bill a historic and unifying piece of legislation spearheaded by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and fulfilled under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
This landmark bill, which enshrines key Islamic holidays into Ghana’s national calendar, is not simply symbolic; it represents decades of yearning for inclusion, recognition, and respect by Ghana’s vibrant Muslim population. The bill, passed in Parliament with overwhelming public approval, marks a pivotal shift toward religious equity and national cohesion.
It is therefore profoundly disturbing that the NPP, led in Parliament by Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, chose to oppose this act of progress. His public objections, rooted in concerns over productivity and the hypothetical “floodgate” of future holiday demands, reflect a troubling disregard for the spirit of the legislation and the legitimate place of Muslims in Ghana’s national life.
The USA Zongo Caucus considers this opposition a missed opportunity a moment where leadership could have risen above partisanship to embrace unity and fairness. Ghana’s secular democracy is enriched by its diversity. Recognizing Islamic holidays does not undermine Christian values; rather, it reinforces the nation’s foundational principles of inclusion and mutual respect.
We commend H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the NDC for delivering on their promise and legislating with the courage and conviction that speaks to the heart of our democracy. Their action is a reaffirmation that all faiths matter that Muslims are not an afterthought in Ghana’s development, but central contributors to its story.
As Ghanaians in the diaspora, we witness firsthand the strength of multicultural societies that legislate for all. We urge the NPP leadership to reflect on this moment and take corrective steps that show sensitivity to the Ghanaian Muslim community, both at home and abroad.
The USA Zongo Caucus remains committed to justice, equity, and civic responsibility. We will continue to advocate for policies that unify our nation and uplift all religious and cultural communities.
Signed,
Shiekh Abdul Salaam Zeebah
Coordinator, USA Zongo Caucus
Bronx, New York
us************@***il.com
