Parliament Approves Major Holiday Shake-Up: Republic Day Restored, Midweek Breaks Shifted to Fridays
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak Confirms July 1 Returns as Full Public Holiday in New Amendment Bill
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
Parliament has passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following a proposal by Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak. The new legislation brings back July 1 (Republic Day) as a full public holiday and returns Founder's Day to its original date of September 21.
One of the most impactful changes is the decision to shift all midweek holidays—those falling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays—to Fridays, a move aimed at enhancing worker productivity and allowing longer rest periods.
“We believe July 1 is a unifying and symbolic day in Ghana’s history. Bringing it back as a public holiday reaffirms our shared national identity,” said Minister Muntaka on the floor of Parliament.
● The retained list of holidays includes:
▪︎ January 1 – New Year’s Day
▪︎ January 7 – Constitutional Day
▪︎ March 6 – Independence Day
▪︎ Good Friday and Easter Monday (variable dates)
▪︎ May 1 – Labour Day
▪︎ July 1 – Republic Day (now reinstated)
▪︎ September 21 – Founder's Day
■ Opposition Raises Concerns
The Minority in Parliament opposed the bill's passage under a certificate of urgency, arguing that the government was rushing through less urgent legislation while more critical national issues remained unresolved.
Despite their objections, the bill was approved by Parliament, cementing these sweeping changes into law.
