The Ministry of the Interior has officially announced that Friday, July 4, 2025, will be observed as a public holiday across Ghana. The declaration follows a presidential directive issued via an Executive Instrument (E.I.), under the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2021 (Act 601).
In a press release signed by Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak on June 26, the Ministry emphasized that the holiday should be observed nationwide.
“The general public is hereby informed that Tuesday, 1st July 2025, is Republic Day. However, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, by Executive Instrument (E.I), has declared Friday, 4th July, 2025 as a Public Holiday,” the statement read.
This move aligns with recent changes made to Ghana’s public holiday structure through the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on June 25.
The amendment, backed by the Defence and Interior Committee, aims to make the holiday calendar more inclusive and reflective of Ghana’s history. Highlights of the changes include:
July 1 is now an official Republic Day public holiday.
August 4 has been removed from the holiday calendar.
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day has been renamed Founder’s Day, to be celebrated on September 21.
Introduction of Shaqq Day, a new holiday for Muslims, observed the day after Eid ul-Fitr.
According to the new law, if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, the President has the authority to shift its observance to the following Friday to ensure continuity and enhance national productivity.
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak reiterated that this adjustment helps balance national celebrations with economic activity.
The parliamentary session that passed the amendments also saw lively debate, particularly around the designation of Founder’s Day. Lawmakers were divided over whether the day should solely honor Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, or include other contributors to Ghana’s independence.
