Parliament passes bill to move midweek holidays to Friday or Monday

Ghana’s Parliament has passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing major changes to the national holiday calendar, including the rescheduling of midweek holidays and adjustments to key historical observances.

One of the significant provisions in the new legislation allows the President to shift any public holiday that falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday to the nearest Monday or Friday. This measure is aimed at improving productivity and ensuring longer weekends for Ghanaians.

The bill also restores July 1 as Republic Day, commemorating Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960. In addition, it reinstates September 21 as Founder’s Day in honour of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first President and a central figure in the struggle for independence. This change effectively repeals August 4 as Founders’ Day, which had been introduced to recognise the collective efforts of Ghana’s independence leaders.

In a move toward religious inclusivity, the bill introduces a new Muslim holiday known as Shaqq Day, which will be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr. This new observance is intended to give the Muslim community more time to reflect and celebrate following the end of Ramadan.

First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, who presided over proceedings, declared:

“Honourable members, the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Amendment Bill 2025 is duly read the third time and passed.”