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Parliament has officially passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, ushering in sweeping changes to Ghana’s statutory holiday calendar. The bill seeks to promote inclusivity, productivity, and historical accuracy, as outlined in the Defence and Interior Committee’s report.
Under the amended law, July 1 will once again be observed as Republic Day, marking Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960. September 21, the birthday of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has also been reinstated as Founder’s Day, effectively replacing the previously observed August 4 Founders’ Day.
In a bid to honor Ghana’s Muslim population, the bill introduces a new holiday called *Shaqq Day*, to be celebrated the day after Eid ul-Fitr. This new addition fulfills a campaign promise made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and is intended to allow more time for post-Ramadan reflection and celebration.
Another notable change allows for flexibility in holiday observance: if a holiday falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, the President may, by Executive Instrument, move the observance to the nearest Friday. This measure, according to Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, is aimed at improving national productivity by consolidating holidays with weekends.
The bill, while widely supported, sparked renewed debate in Parliament over who qualifies as Ghana’s “founder.” Members were divided on whether it is appropriate to associate the title solely with Dr. Nkrumah, despite his prominent role in the independence struggle.
The newly passed legislation is expected to influence both national commemorations and workplace scheduling moving forward.
