Parliament has passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing significant changes to the country’s official holiday calendar aimed at boosting productivity and economic activity.
The bill amends the existing Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), by including Shaqq Day, a new statutory public holiday for the Muslim community, observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr—and reinstating July 1 as Republic Day, a full public holiday of national significance. Additionally, August 4, formerly Founders’ Day, has been removed due to its divisive nature, with the original Founder’s Day on September 21 reinstated.
The legislation, fast-tracked under a certificate of urgency and presented by Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka on June 24, 2025, also addresses the challenge of midweek holidays disrupting workweeks. Under the new law, all public holidays that fall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays will be observed on the following Fridays, while those landing on weekends will be observed on Mondays. This adjustment aims to extend weekends, reduce lost productivity, and bolster sectors like tourism and the creative arts.
Minister Muntaka emphasized the government’s rationale: “Midweek holidays often cause workers to take leave, lowering productivity. This amendment ensures holidays create longer weekends, which will enhance economic activity without imposing financial burdens on the country.”
The restructured holiday calendar now includes:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- January 7: Constitutional Day
- March 6: Independence Day
- Good Friday and Easter Monday: March or April (Christian holidays)
- May 1: Labour Day
- July 1: Republic Day (reinstated)
- First Friday in December: Farmers’ Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Boxing Day
- Eid-ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day: Muslim holidays
- Eid-ul-Adha: Muslim holiday (lunar date)
Despite opposition from Minority members of Parliament who argued other national issues required more urgent attention, the bill was passed, marking a new era in Ghana’s public holiday observance.
The government expects these changes to promote unity by emphasizing widely accepted commemorative days and stimulate economic growth through improved holiday scheduling.
Source: NKONKONSA.com
