Already, Fridays have always been a half working day because Muslims go to the central mosque to pray at noon and most never return to their offices. Therefore, if the day falls on Wednesday or Thursday, expect to see workers on Monday.

There are two main Islamic sects in Ghana. They are the Orthodox Muslims and the Ahmadis. The Orthodox are loyal to the national Chief Imam, in the person of Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharabutu. He is regarded in some circles as the richest man in Ghana. The Ahmadis are loyal to the Ameer of Ahmadiya Muslims, in the person of Maulvi Wahab Adam.

It was observed by this reporter that majority of Muslims in Tamale are Ahmadis and hence celebrate their Sanla on a different day from their brothers and sisters in the south. Meanwhile, in an interview with an Arabic instructor, he denied the Orthodox versus Ahmadis theory as the reason why Tamale celebrates her Sanla on a different day. He further added that it is not a disregard for the National Chief Imam. Rather, he said, there are two main schools of thought on when to celebrate Sanla: Either on the day the moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia or on when the moon is sighted in one’s geographical location. And this is what’s bringing about the difference.

However, the fact still remains that one full working day is lost. Moreover, some people are appealing to the government to make the day following Sanla a holiday. According to them the celebration is also the time for family reunions. As such travelling from the south to the north, which is a twelve hour journey, and back the following day to work is tiring.

It is mother Ghana that loses eventually because “the authorities are sympathetic”, to borrow the words of Mr. Alhassan.