President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to reinstate Republic Day as a national holiday and introduce an official public holiday for Eid al-Fitr if elected.
Speaking during his thank-you tour in the Western Region on February 5, 2025, Mahama revealed that his administration would amend the Public Holidays Act to restore July 1 as a national holiday. The day, which marks Ghana’s transition to self-governance, was removed from the list of public holidays in 2019 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to the Muslim community, promising to officially recognize Eid al-Fitr as a public holiday.
Additionally, he proposed the establishment of a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, to be observed on July 1 alongside Senior Citizens’ Day. This, he explained, would serve as a time for national reflection and seeking divine guidance for Ghana’s progress.
Mahama assured Ghanaians that his administration remains committed to delivering on all campaign promises.
“We will have an opportunity as a nation soon to pray and give thanks to the almighty God as enjoined by the holy book that says in all things Give thanks to the Almighty God. We will thank God for his blessing on our nation Ghana and I will soon announce a planning committee made up of religious leaders to plan the national day of prayer and thanksgiving.
“I proposed that this national day of prayer and thanksgiving should be held on the first of July which is also our republic day and also marks Senior Citizen’s Day. Nananom, my brothers and sisters, we will soon present to parliament an amendment to the Public Holiday Act so that we can restore July 1 as a holiday.
“In the amendment of the Public Holiday Act, we shall also make provision to fulfil our promise to the Muslim community of an extra holiday to mark the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr.
“I am here to say Thank you to all the hundreds of people who voted for me here in the Western region. I am here to reaffirm my commitment to honouring the trust and confidence you have imposed on me. We will deliver on our promises, and I am hopeful that you will see tangible life-changing development across the region soon,” he emphasised.
