The Member of Parliament for the Assin Central constituency in the Central Region, Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has in his usual fashion, presented 500 bags of rice, and 500 bottles of cooking oil to the Muslim community in the Greater Accra Region as his widow’s mite towards the commemoration of this year’s Eid-Ul-Fitr.
The affable MP who has been synonymous with philanthropy over the years made the presentation at the forecourt of the Kencity Media building at Madina in Accra on Thursday.
Speaking to the media, Kenneth Takyi Agyapong, son of Hon Kennedy Agyapong, who presented the items on behalf of his father, reiterated the long-standing relationship between the Muslim community and Hon Kennedy Agyapong.
He said the items will go chiefly to the Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, with the rest going to various communities in the Greater Accra region.
Kenneth Agyapong in an interview later explained the rationale behind the donation.
Some clerics and leaders of the Muslim communities present at the ceremony shared their thoughts on the presentation.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Fitr is a time of official receptions and private visits when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior has declared Monday, April 24, 2023, as a public holiday to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, a significant religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
The announcement was made by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery. According to the statement released by the Ministry, Saturday, April 22, marks Eid-ul-Fitr, which is a Statutory Public Holiday.
However, since this date falls on a Saturday, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in accordance with the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601), has declared Monday, April 24, 2023, as an additional Public Holiday.
The decision to declare Monday, 24th April 2023, as an additional Public Holiday is in recognition of the significance of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival to Muslims in Ghana. It also provides an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to celebrate the festival and engage in activities that promote unity, harmony, and peaceful co-existence.
This gesture is seen as a recognition of the diversity of Ghana’s population and a reflection of the government’s commitment to promoting religious tolerance and inclusivity.
By: Isaac Clottey
