The Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has emphasized that his proposed bill, aiming to amend the country's Public Holidays Act 2001 (Act 601) by adding two Islamic public holidays, is geared towards promoting inclusiveness and acknowledging religious diversity.

Sosu maintained that the current system was perceived as unfair and discriminatory, hindering the full expression of the Islamic faith by Muslims, as protected and assured by the 1992 Constitution and other international laws and treaties.

During an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, December 14, the legal practitioner and politician revealed that his bill aims to address this discrepancy.

• Read also: Madina MP proposes sweeping changes to Public Holidays Act

“The right of every Ghanaian to freedom of religion is a fundamental one. In Article 21(c) every Ghanaian has the freedom to practice any religion and to manifest any religion. Being the 2nd dominant religion in Ghana, Ghanaian Muslims must have equal opportunities when it comes to the celebration of religious festivals.”

The bill is to amend Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act 2001 (Act 601) to substitute public holidays that fall on days between Tuesday and Thursday to Friday.

This, however, he said should not apply to Islamic holidays.

His proposed amendment also gives relevant power and authority to the President to by executive instrument merge in a particular calendar year, the celebration of any two public holidays in the public interest.

Furthermore, the proposal also seeks to repeal section 2 of Act 601 where by practice under the current regime, public holidays that fall on weekends are not marked as such but instead postponed to Mondays.