Parliament Reinstates July 1 as Public Holiday in New Amendment Bill

On June 26, 2025, Ghana’s Parliament approved the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025 under a certificate of urgency. The bill, tabled by Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, amends the existing Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601) to reflect new national priorities.

Key Changes Introduced

The bill restores July 1 as Republic Day, officially designating it once again as a statutory public holiday. It also introduces a new Muslim holiday called Shaqq Day, to be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr.

Additionally, the amendment replaces the controversial August 4 Founders’ Day with September 21, which will now be observed as Founder’s Day. This adjustment aims to address public disagreement and foster greater national unity.

Government’s Justification

Presenting the report to Parliament, Minister Muntaka stated that the changes are part of a broader effort to align the country’s public holidays with its historical and cultural identity.

“We are reintroducing July 1 because it represents a key moment in Ghana’s democratic journey and fosters national cohesion. At the same time, August 4 has proven divisive, and its removal is a step toward unity,” he explained.

The bill maintains the existing set of holidays, which include:

January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 7 – Constitutional Day
March 6 – Independence Day
Good Friday & Easter Monday – Christian observances (March/April)
May 1 – Labour Day
First Friday in December – Farmers’ Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – Boxing Day
Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha – Islamic observances (based on the lunar calendar)

With the inclusion of Shaqq Day and the reinstatement of Republic Day, Ghana now observes a total of 14 statutory public holidays. The government believes this number appropriately reflects the nation's cultural and religious diversity.

Swift Legislative Action

The bill was introduced in Parliament on June 24, 2025, and fast-tracked through the legislative process due to its urgency. It received prompt approval from both the Committee on Defence and Interior and the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs.

This amendment is seen as a meaningful step in addressing long-standing debates about national commemoration and enhancing inclusivity within the country’s holiday calendar.

Source: The Ghana Report

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