Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, approved the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing key changes to Ghana’s holiday calendar.

The newly passed legislation restored July 1 as Republic Day, formally recognising the country’s transition to a republic in 1960.

It also introduced a new public holiday for the Muslim community, known as Shaqq Day, to be observed a day after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The day is intended to allow extended reflection and celebration after the Islamic festival.

The bill also repealed August 4 as Founders’ Day and reinstated September 21 as Founder’s Day in honour of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in the country’s independence movement.

Further, the bill empowered the President to shift public holidays that fell on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to either the preceding Friday or following Monday to improve national productivity and scheduling flexibility.

Presiding over Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker, announced the passage of the bill on the Floor of the House.

“Honourable members, the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Amendment Bill 2025 is duly read for the third time and passed,” he said.