Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu Agyeman has defended government’s decision to declare today a holiday in commemoration of Africa day, which originally fell on Saturday May 25. President Kufour by Executive Instrument, declared today a national holiday. But questions have been raised about the likely impact of work free day on productivity. Some members of the public have questioned the rationale for shifting the holiday to Monday especially when there are no planned programs to educate Ghanaians on the on the new Africa Union.

Some observers including Parliamentarians who passed the law had suggested that Africa Day could have been marked without a holiday because of the likely impact on productivity.

Speaking on national television this morning a lecturer at the school of communication studies Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo said although she supports idea, she believes today’s holiday could have adverse consequences on national productivity and economy. According to her, government could have decided not to be part of today’s holiday since it was not factored into this year’s programme. Dr Gadzekpo also expressed concern that employers were not consulted in shifting the holiday from Saturday to Monday.
Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman however, disagreed with the assertion. He pointed out that the government introduced the holiday in consonance with other Africa countries. In response to critics who argue that there are too many holidays, Mr. Owusu explained that the today’s holiday only replaces June 4 celebrations, which was annulled as holiday. He expressed regret that Ghanaians have resorted to finding fault with everything that government does.