Government has introduced a new bill in Parliament proposing significant changes to the country’s public holiday calendar, aimed at restoring key historical dates and enhancing the recognition of religious observances.
The proposed legislation, titled the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was formally laid before the House on Wednesday, June 25.
Among the most notable provisions is the reinstatement of July 1 as Republic Day, commemorating Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960. If passed, the date would once again become a statutory public holiday, reversing its removal under earlier amendments.
The bill also proposes the establishment of Shaqq Day, to be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr, providing Muslims across the country with an additional day for spiritual reflection and family celebration following the end of Ramadan.
In a move likely to stir national debate, the government is also seeking to repeal August 4 as Founders’ Day—a date instituted in recent years to honour all the key figures in Ghana’s independence movement. The amendment instead seeks to restore September 21 as Founder’s Day, placing exclusive recognition on Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and leading independence icon.
Another significant change outlined in the bill would allow the President to relocate public holidays that fall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to the nearest Friday or Monday. This measure is intended to improve workweek efficiency and enable better planning for both the public and private sectors.
The proposed amendments are expected to ignite passionate discussions across the political spectrum, as they touch on sensitive themes of national history, identity, and inclusivity. The bill’s passage will require Parliamentary approval before it can be signed into law.
