Ghana Restores July 1 and Sept 21 Public Holidays & Shifts Midweek Holidays to Fridays

Ghana to Revamp Public Holiday Calendar: Major Amendments Introduced

The Minister of Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has spearheaded a comprehensive reform of Ghana’s public holiday calendar through the submission of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to Parliament on Wednesday, June 25. The proposed legislation marks significant shifts in how national holidays will be observed, aiming to foster unity, honour historical milestones, and enhance economic productivity.

New Republic Day: July 1 as a Public Holiday

• Republic Day restored: The bill officially recognizes July 1 as a public holiday, commemorating Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960—after having been removed since 2019. Mubarak emphasized the day’s national importance and public support for its reinstatement.
  
  

 Founders’ Day Reinstated: September 21

• Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday honoured: The contentious August 4 Founders’ Day, which celebrated multiple founding fathers, is removed. Instead, September 21—President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday—is restored as Founders’ Day, reinforcing unity around a single national figure.
  
  

“We’ve taken out the 4th of August … We are not unanimous around it and it serves as a divisive day. So we've … maintained the 21st September … the birthday of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,” explained the Minister.

Midweek Holidays Shifted to Fridays

• Longer weekends for all: Holidays falling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays (excluding religious holidays) will be automatically observed on the following Friday. This change aims to create longer weekends and boost both workplace planning and productivity.
  
  

Other Notable Adjustments

The bill reiterates recognition of Ghana’s established holidays:

• New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
  
  

• Constitution Day (Jan 7)
  
  

• Independence Day (Mar 6)
  
  

• Good Friday & Easter Monday
  
  

• Labour Day (May 1)
  
  

• Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha
  
  

• Farmers’ Day (first Friday in December)
  
  

• Christmas Day (Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26).
  
  

Additionally, the bill grants the President authority—via Executive Instrument—to shift midweek holidays to either Fridays or Mondays.

Controversy & Parliamentary Debate

• Fast-tracked under urgency: The bill was presented with a certificate of urgency, drawing sharp criticism from Minority MPs. They argued it sidelined pressing national issues, including economic and social concerns.
  
  

Despite objections, Parliament passed the legislation on June 25, paving the way for final assent by the President before it becomes law .

 What This Means for Ghanaians

1. July 1: Now a full paid holiday, reinstating Republic Day.
   
   

2. September 21: Restored Founders’ Day in honour of Kwame Nkrumah.
   
   

3. August 4: Removed from the holiday calendar.
   
   

4. Midweek holidays: Will now provide extended weekend breaks.
   
   

Next Steps

The bill awaits Presidential assent before taking effect. Upon approval, government agencies, businesses, and schools will receive guidelines to implement the new holiday schedule from July onwards.

Summary Table

This overhaul underscores a decisive approach to national unity, heritage, and economic efficiency, while reigniting public debate on how the past should be commemorated. If you'd like, I can provide a comparison with the previous public holiday law or highlight reactions from stakeholders across the political spectrum.

Source:

myjoyonline.com