Are you aware of all the public holidays in Ghana and why they are celebrated occasionally? Do you know these holidays are all not statutory holidays?
If not, worry less. In this article, we are will share with you all the Public Holidays in Ghana in 2023 and the reason they are observed.
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Public Holidays In Ghana in 2023: All You Need To Know
Ghana is a republican country that celebrates public holidays also known as statutory holidays. A statutory holiday is a day that is legislated or constitutionally established by an ACT of parliament as a mandatory holiday for all to observe.
The public holidays in Ghana just as in many countries in the world are celebrated as an emblem to honour, remember, and foster national unity.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Interior mandated to ensure internal security, and maintenance of law and order in the country, officially promulgates to the public in due time the holidays to be observed.
Ghana observes thirteen (13) public holidays in the year. These holidays are constitutionally backed under the Public Holidays (Amendment) ACT, 2019 ACT 989.
Here are all the public holidays and their respective dates observed in Ghana.
Summary Of All Public Holidays In Ghana in 2023
| HOLIDAY | DAY |
| New Year’s Day | 1st January |
| Constitution Day | 7th January |
| Independence Day | 6th March |
| Good Friday | 7th April |
| Easter Monday | 10th April |
| May Day (Workers’ Day) | 1st May |
| Founder’s Day | 4th August |
| Eid-Ul-Fitr | 24 April *(Changes)* |
| Eid-Ul-Adha | 29 June *(Changes)* |
| Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day | 21st September |
| Farmer’s Day | 1st December |
| Christmas Day | 25th December |
| Boxing Day | 26th December |
The Reason Behind The Public Holidays
New Year’s Day (1st January)
New Year’s Day is the first day in January observed as a holiday every year. This day marks the beginning of the year in the Gregorian calendar and it is a public holiday in Ghana and many countries
Constitution Day (7th January)
Constitution Day is a public holiday in Ghana observed to mark the coming into effect of the 1992 Constitution and the birth of the Fourth Republic.
Independence Day (6TH March)
Independence Day is celebrated to mark Ghana’s declaration of independence from British colonial rule.
Good Friday (7th April)
Good Friday is a Christian holiday observed to commemorate the birth and crucifixion of Jesus and his death.
Easter Monday (10th April)
Easter Monday is a Christian holiday celebrated after Easter Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.
May Day (1st May)
May Day is a holiday also known as Workers Day celebrated to commemorate the achievements of workers and the labour force.
In Ghana, it is usually observed at the Black Star Square with a march past by various civil worker’s groups in all regions of the country.
Founder’s Day (4th August)
Founder’s Day is a statutory holiday observed to honour ‘The Big Six’ whose contributions led to the struggle for Ghana’s Independence.
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (21st September)
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day is a public holiday observed to commemorate the birthday of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah who served as the first Prime Minister (1957-1960) and the first president (1960-1966) of Ghana.
Prior to the birth of his statutory holiday and the passing of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill in 2019, the holiday on September 21st was known as Founder’s Day. Presently, Founder’s Day is celebrated as a public holiday on the 4th of August annually.
Eid-Ul-Fitr (24th April)
Eid-Ul-Fitr is a public holiday observed to celebrate the festival of breaking the fast among Muslims.
It must be noted that in Ghana, the date for Eid-Ul-Fitr is not fixed as it is yearly changed by the Office of the Chief Imam in the year.
Eid-Ul-Adha (29th June)
Eid-Ul-Adha is the second of the two Islamic holidays observed worldwide to honour the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience. Just like the Eid-Ul-Fitr, the date for observing this holiday is not fixed but is subject to change based on the day of the moon sighting.
In Ghana, the Office of the Chief Imam publicly declares the date.
Farmer’s Day (1st December)
Farmer’s Day is a statutory holiday in Ghana observed on the first Friday of December. It is celebrated to recognise the contributions of farmers and fishers to the socio-economic growth of Ghana. During election years in Ghana, the Farmer’s Day celebration is held on the first Friday of November.
Christmas Day (25th Dec)
Christmas Day is a public holiday celebrated worldwide just as 1st January and Eid-Ul-Adha, to remember the birth of Jesus.
Boxing Day (26th Dec)
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day celebrated as part of Christmas to gift out to friends and family.
Commemorative Day
It must be noted that Commemorative Days such as the African Union (25th May) and Republic Day (1st July) are not public holidays. These are days celebrated to honour an event or a person. These days are not statutory holidays in Ghana.
SOURCE: XORLALI.COM
