By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, June 25, GNA- The government on Wednesday introduced a new bill to Parliament seeking to amend the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act.
The proposed legislation, titled the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to restore key historical observances and expand recognition of religious holidays.
According to the new bill, there will be the reinstatement of July 1 as Republic Day, marking Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960.
As a reault, July 1 would return as a statutory public holiday.
Further, there is the introduction of Shaqq Day. This will be a new holiday to be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr, providing an additional day for Muslims to reflect and gather with family.
“August 4 will be repealed as Founders’ Day, and September 21 will be restored as Founder’s Day to exclusively recognize Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions,” the proposed bill added.
It said the President will be allowed to move public holidays that fall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to either the preceding Friday or following Monday to boost productivity.
The bill is expected to spark debate due to its sensitive nature, touching on Ghana’s national identity and commemorative calendar if passed.
However, these changes is expected to impact how Ghanaians observe their public holidays.
Currently statutory Public Holidays in Ghana include New Year’s Day, January 1; Constitution Day, January 7; Independence Day, March 6; Good Friday, April 18 and Easter Monday, April 21.
The others are May Day (Workers’ Day), May 1; Founders’ Day, August 4; Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, September 21 and Farmers’ Day, December 5.
While Christmas Day is scheduled for December 25, Boxing Day, December 26, there are Commemorative Days as African Union Day for May 25 and Republic Day for July 1.
The passage of the bill will bring about changes to these existing holidays.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah