Home Featured News Interior Minister announces overhaul of Ghana’s public holiday calendar

Interior Minister announces overhaul of Ghana’s public holiday calendar

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Ghana’s public holiday calendar is set for a significant shake-up following the passage of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was laid before Parliament by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak.

The newly approved legislation introduces several notable changes, including the reinstatement of July 1 as Republic Day, now recognized as a full public holiday to commemorate Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960. The bill also restores Founder’s Day to September 21, reversing a previous change that had moved the observance to August 4.

In a statement to Parliament, Minister Muntaka outlined the full list of retained holidays, including January 1 (New Year’s Day), January 7 (Constitution Day), March 6 (Independence Day), Good Friday and Easter Monday (observed in March or April), May 1 (Labour Day), and the newly re-established Republic Day on July 1.

“We believe that this is a very significant day in the life of Ghana that we should not just relegate to the background, and therefore we are bringing it back as a full holiday,” the Minister said, referring to Republic Day. “We believe that as a country, we are united around the 1st of July.”

In what many workers may consider a welcome development, the bill also allows all public holidays that fall midweek — specifically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays — to be moved to the nearest Friday. This change is intended to create longer weekends and, according to the Minister, may help improve national productivity and work-life balance.

Despite the anticipated benefits, the Minority in Parliament strongly objected to the Majority’s decision to fast-track the bill under a certificate of urgency. Opposition MPs argued that the expedited process bypassed thorough debate and sidelined more pressing national issues in need of legislative attention.

Nevertheless, the bill was approved, officially ushering in a new holiday regime that reflects both historical reverence and practical workplace considerations.

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