Public holidays in Ghana: a comprehensive list
All countries in the world have various dates that they have set aside to celebrate multiple events in their state. For instance, states may set aside a date to celebrate their heroes, their independence, or even their religions. In Ghana, there are quite some festivities that occur throughout a year. These refer to the public holidays in Ghana.
Source: UGC
If you are travelling to Ghana soon, then you must familiarize yourself with the various holidays in Ghana. They are quite many. Stick around to see which festivities are primarily observed only in this country.
Public holidays in Ghana
The Ministry of Interior Ghana has set aside the following national holidays:
January 1, New Year's
New Year's Day is one of the highly celebrated festivities all over the country. Most people better know it as New Year or New Year's. It is celebrated every 1st of January.
January 7, Constitution Day
Constitution Day is another famous public holiday in Ghana, which is observed every year on the 7th of January. It is one of the newly identified events in the country, which was first celebrated on the 7th of January in 2019. It was meant to mark the date the country adopted the Constitution of the 4th Republic of Ghana on 7th of January in 1993. This public event was set aside as a festival under Section 2 of the Public Holiday Act, 2001 (Act 601).
March 6, Independence Day
Independence Day is an official public holiday in Ghana that has been set aside to help the citizens celebrate their freedom. It is celebrated every 6th of March. Every 6th of March in Ghana marks the date the-then the Prime Minister of the country, Mr Kwame Nkrumah led the country to acquire its independence from the United Kingdom on the 6th of March in 1957. The state was the first nation in the sub-Saharan African region to obtain its independence from the British. Whenever this date lands on the weekend, the festivity is postponed and celebrated the following Monday.
March 20, March Equinox
An Equinox refers to an astronomical event whereby the axis of the earth is not inclined towards or away from the sun. During this period, the length of the days and the nights are almost equal, which means they are both around twelve hours. Equinoxes happen every 20th or 21st of March, and every 22nd or 23rd of September. In Ghana, this event is celebrated on the 20th of March.
April 19, Good Friday
This refers to a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus's crucifixion and death at Calvary. It is one of the many celebrations that are held by Christians from all over the world. It marks the Holy Week and Easter festivities. Some people also refer to this event as Holy Friday.
April 20, Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday occurs immediately after Good Friday. It is the celebration that Christians mark before they celebrate their Easter. It marks the day the body of Jesus lay in the tomb after he died.
April 21, Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is in some nations referred to as Resurrection Sunday. On this date, Christians from all over the world mark the resurrection of Jesus.
April 22, Easter Monday
Easter Monday is set aside as a public holiday in this country and other across the globe to mark a day of rest after celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus.
May 1, May Day
In other countries, this festival is known as Labor Day. On May Day, most schools and businesses are often closed, with most of the general population taking a break from their routine.
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May 25, Africa Unity Day
May 25th has been crowned as Africa Day in Ghana. It is set aside to commemorate the freedom, independence, and liberation of the country from its colonial imperialists.
June 5, Eid-al-Fitr
Eid-al-Fitr is also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It is a religious festival celebrated by the Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan. It is the only Muslim festival where they are not allowed to fast.
July 1, Republic Day
On 1st of July in 1960, Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana's first president and helped the country be governed by a new Constitution. July 1 was, therefore, set aside as a public event to help the netizens celebrate Ghana for being the state that it is today.
August 4, Founder's Day
The Founder's day was initially set to celebrate the birthday of first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. It has been set aside by an Act of Parliament, Public Holidays Act, 2018, to remember the heroes who helped liberate the country from colonial rule.
August 12, Eid-al-Adha
Every 12th of August, Muslims from across the globe celebrate Eid-al-Adha, also known as the Festival of the Sacrifice. The festival is considered holier than Eid al-Fitr.
September 21, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day is celebrated every year on September 21 to commemorate the first president and prime minister of the Republic of Ghana who led the state to independence from the British. Kwame Nkrumah was born on 21st of September in 1909 in Ghana, which was initially known as the Gold Coast.
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December 6, National Farmer's Day
National Farmers' Day is another popular public holiday in Ghana that is celebrated on the 6th of December. The government of the country set aside the date in 1985, following a fatal drought in the country that brought so much burden on the farmers. Today, this date honours the country's farmers and fishers for their continued contribution to the state's socio-economic development.
December 25, Christmas
Christmas is one of the most celebrated festivals in all countries in the world. December 25th is primarily observed as a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Billions of religious people from all around the globe do honour the 25th of December as the birthday of Jesus Christ.
December 26, Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a secular festival that is celebrated the following day after Christmas.
Now you have a complete list of public holidays in Ghana. Go ahead and plan for that gateway or even rest on the particular day.
READ ALSO: Republic Day on July 1 to be restored as a public holiday
Source: YEN.com.gh