Parliament has passed sweeping reforms to the nation’s public holiday calendar, approving a bill that allows midweek holidays to be rescheduled to Mondays or Fridays and reinstates key historical commemorations.

The Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was approved this week, restores July 1 as Republic Day, marking Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960—a status previously removed from the official list of public holidays.

In a move expected to be welcomed by the country’s Muslim population, lawmakers also introduced a new holiday called Shaqq Day, to be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr. The day is intended to provide space for extended celebration and reflection following the Islamic holy festival.

Another politically symbolic change involves the repeal of August 4 as Founders’ Day, a date that honored multiple contributors to Ghana’s independence movement. In its place, September 21 has been reinstated as Founder’s Day, dedicated solely to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the country’s first president and its most prominent independence leader.

Perhaps the most practical change, however, is a new provision that allows the President to reschedule any holiday that falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday to the nearest Friday or Monday. Supporters of the bill say this adjustment is aimed at reducing midweek work disruptions and boosting productivity by creating extended weekends.

“Honourable members, the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Amendment Bill 2025 is duly read the third time and passed,” announced First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor during the session.

Source:TheDotNews