New Holiday Reforms Take Effect
The Ministry of the Interior has reaffirmed that Monday, 4 August 2025, will not be observed as a public holiday, following the implementation of recent amendments to Ghana’s holiday legislation.
This clarification comes amid public confusion over whether Founder’s Day would still warrant time off from work. In a public notice issued on 31 July, the Ministry emphasized that commemorative days are not classified as statutory holidays and therefore do not justify suspension of work or public operations.
Founder’s Day Removed Under New Legislation
Until recently, 4 August was celebrated as Founder’s Day to mark the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC)—a significant milestone in Ghana’s independence history. However, the observance was eliminated following the passage of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The amendment, passed by Parliament in June 2025, reversed key changes made by the Akufo-Addo administration. Among the major reforms:
- September 21, the birthday of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has been reinstated as the official Founders’ Day.
- 1 July has been reintroduced as Republic Day, a statutory holiday.
- A new public holiday has been created to be observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr for the Muslim community.
Productivity Measures Included in New Law
The new law also empowers the President to adjust the observance of certain holidays to minimize mid-week disruption. Holidays falling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays may be moved to the nearest Friday, while weekend holidays may be observed on Monday.
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According to the Interior Ministry, this aims to enhance national productivity while preserving the historical significance of each occasion.
Public Urged to Note Working Day
In its statement, the Ministry urged the general public and all institutions to take note and plan accordingly, stressing that 4 August 2025 will be a regular working day.
Below is the list of designated public holidays:
