The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has launched a scathing critique of the government’s decision to push an amendment to the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601) under a certificate of urgency, describing the move as “a clear case of misplaced priorities.”

In a strongly worded address on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, the Minority Leader questioned why the government has chosen to fast-track a symbolic holidays bill at a time when critical national issues remain unresolved.

“We do not trivialise Ghana’s heritage or the importance of inclusive celebrations,” the Minority Leader said.

“However, with Ghana facing severe socio-economic challenges and a backlog of unfulfilled reform promises, it is perplexing that renaming or adding public holidays is being treated with such urgency.”

The Minority Leader argued that a certificate of urgency should be reserved for matters of national security, economic crises, or urgent public need, not symbolic changes to the calendar.

He pointed to President Mahama’s campaign promise to restore July 1 (Republic Day) as a public holiday and designate it as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.

“Yes, campaign promises must be kept,” he said, “but why rush this one ahead of promises that directly affect the welfare of Ghanaians?”

He cited numerous unfulfilled pledges by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, questioning the government's prioritisation.

These include:

Property Rights of Spouses Bill: Promised to protect women’s rights in marriage, yet no bill has been laid before Parliament.

Domestic Workers Bill: Intended to protect vulnerable workers, particularly women—still missing from the legislative agenda.

Intestate Succession Amendment Bill: Promised as part of a trio of women's protection laws but remains unaddressed.

Scholarship Reform Bill: The government pledged to overhaul the politicised scholarship system within 90 days. No bill has been introduced.

Review of Import Taxes & Auto Industry Support: Artisans and traders were promised relief and the reversal of the ban on salvaged vehicles. No progress has been made.

Conflict of Interest & Anti-Corruption Bills: No proposed laws have been tabled to support the government’s anti-corruption rhetoric.

Constitutional Reforms: Despite forming a review committee, there is no clear path or timeline for enacting constitutional amendments to allow the election of MMDCEs or scrap ex-gratia payments.

The Minority Leader also accused the government of quietly abandoning the One- District- One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which was designed to spur industrialisation and youth employment.

“Instead of building on the successes or fixing the gaps, the government has allowed the programme to die in silence,” he said.

He further criticised the administration for its failure to act decisively on illegal mining, or galamsey, despite promising a “ruthless war” against the environmental menace.

He noted that there has been no legislation, not even a repeal of the controversial LI 2462 as promised.

The Minority Leader took issue with what he called the government’s “deliberate silence” on the Anti-LGBT+ Bill, despite the NDC’s vociferous campaign support for it.

“When they had no power, they shouted the loudest. Now that they govern, they go mute.

That is not governance—that is manipulation,” he charged.

He lamented the government’s apparent eagerness to legislate symbolic actions like new public holidays while allowing important social protection and governance reforms to languish.

“Where is the urgency on the Social Protection and Aged Persons Bill?

Where is the urgency on youth employment, economic reform, or anti-corruption legislation? Ghanaians cannot live on symbolism,” he said.

In conclusion, the Minority Leader called on Parliament and the government to realign their legislative priorities with the real needs of Ghanaians.

“We are not against celebrating our Republic Day or honouring our Muslim brothers and sisters with an extra Eid holiday,” he said.

“But we protest the misuse of ‘urgency’ to push through a feel-good bill while delaying real reforms that can change lives. Get your priorities straight.”

He reaffirmed the Minority’s willingness to support any genuine reforms brought to the House in good faith.“The same hustle applied to public holidays must be applied to the promises that matter,” he concluded.