Gov’t Declares March 20 and 23 As 21 Eid-Ul-Fitr Holidays

• The government of Ghana has declared March 20 and 21, 2026, as public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day
• However, Monday, March 23, 2026, has also been declared a public holiday since the Shaqq Day falls on a weekend
• Ghanaians on social media shared varied reactions, from support for the holidays to concerns about excessive celebrations

The government has declared Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 2026, as statutory public holidays to allow Muslims to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day.

This was contained in a press statement issued by Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, the Minister of Interior on Friday, March 13, 2026.

In the statement, the Minister said that the additional public holiday which will be observed on Monday, March 23, is because one of the statutory holidays falls on a weekend.

“The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 20th March and Saturday, 21st March 2026 mark Eid-Ul-Fitr and Shaqq Days, which are statutory public holidays,” the minister stated.

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He added that President John Dramani Mahama issued an Executive Instrument declaring Monday, March 23, as an additional public holiday across the country.

According to the Interior Minister, the decision was taken in line with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), which allows the President to declare an extra holiday when a statutory public holiday falls on a weekend.

"However, in view of the fact that 21st March 2026 falls on a Saturday, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has, by Executive Instrument (E.I), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601)."

The declaration of the additional holiday means public institutions, businesses and schools across the country will have a long weekend.

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and is widely celebrated by Muslims in Ghana and across the world with prayers, charity and family gatherings.

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Read the statement below:

Reactions to 2026 Eid-ul-Fitr holidays

YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the statement issued by the Interior Ministry on social media. Read them below:

@JojoKwansa said:

"That’s how we like it in the town."

@OBetipster wrote:

"Hmm private sector holiday, you will come n close 4 pm."

@jesslamps_ said:

"But ministry the holidays is getting too much."

@Tabletop144 wrote:

"That excitement and euphoric feeling on Thursday and Sunday is everything..Unemployed people can't relate though."

@kobi_smalls said:

"This one dier, be like mid term holidays o. Nice wai."

@Mrsniperforex_x wrote:

"Public holidays 20th 23rd March , 2026 -Eid-Al -Fitr. 3 to 6the April Easter holiday. 10th April Mother’s Day. 27th Eid-Al-Adha. Ghana, I don’t think we should be celebrating holidays though. Developing country de3 holiday fa woho ben."

@FCB_stillrising said:

"If them pick your woman Thursday unless Tuesday o."

@Emmanue40587604 wrote:

"If your girlfriend tells you she has a funeral or a family get together to attend on 20th All be settings."

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White lady arrives In Ghana Detty December

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a white lady arrived in Ghana with a friend to celebrate the Christmas holidays and enthusiastically danced to show their joy.

In a TikTok video, the duo waved Ghanaian flags and danced energetically to DopeNation's “Zormizor (Asabone)."

Several social media users who watched the video welcomed them to Ghana and shared fun activities they could do.

Source: YEN.com.gh