Public Holidays in Ghana

Ministry of the Interior announces statutory public holidays and commemorative days in the Republic of Ghana for the year 2025.

Statutory Public Holidays

The Ministry of Interior confirmed these Statutory Public Holidays in Ghana for the year 2025.

NB: *** There are no fixed dates for the Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha because they are movable feasts. The Office of the Chief Imam provides the dates for their observation in the course of the year.

Commemorative Days

Note: Commemorative days will not be observed as public holidays.

New Year Holiday

It is a day to mark the beginning of the year. It’s observed all over the world on January 1.

Constitution Day Holiday

Every January 7 in Ghana is a national public holiday known as Constitution Day. The holiday is meant to commemorate the institution of a new constitution and the fourth republic on January 7, 1993.

Independence Day

Ghana celebrates its Independence Day every March 6, commemorating the day in 1957 when it ended its status as a British colony. Led by Kwame Nkrumah and the other members of “The Big Six”, Ghana successfully won its freedom after a decade-long campaign of the United Gold Coast Convention between 1947 and 1957

Easter Holidays

In Ghana, Easter is celebrated as in much of the rest of the Christian world. It’s always celebrated in April. However, unlike the West, the commercialized aspects of Easter are conspicuously absent. Instead, there is a religious emphasis on Easter time, with some cultural activities mixed in as well

Most churches in Ghana will hold services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday during Holy Week, while Presbyterian churches tend to also hold a gospel outreach service on Easter Monday.

Charismatic churches typically hold large conventions or special Easter retreats and prayer meetings that last a whole day or longer. It is also common for the youth of different denominations to go to “Easter camp” this time of year.

Eid Al-Fitr Holiday

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims in Ghana with much religious fervor and general merriment.

The national holiday is on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which follows the holy month of Ramadan and a month-long period of fasting, prayer, and devotion. It is one of the most important of all Muslim commemorations.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic month of fasting and prayer called Ramadan. It is a time of celebration, visitation of family and friends, feasting, mini-vacations, and giving food or money to the poor. Many in Ghana will attend communal prayer sessions at a local mosque.

May Day (Workers Day)

May Day is a public holiday in Ghana that occurs every year on May 1. In other parts of the world, it is also called Labour Day or International Workers’ Day.

The main event on Labour Day in Ghana is a big parade put on by the Trade Union Congress. It involves both trade unions and the military, and the event is a major spectacle that people look forward to seeing each year.

Africa Unity Day

Ghana celebrates Africa Unity Day as a commemorative holiday every May 25 to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 24, 1963. Today, this organization is called the African Union.

Note: Africa Unity Day is a Commemorative Day, hence they are not observed as public holidays.

Eid al-Adha

In Ghana, Eid al-Adha is observed by all Muslims as the most important holiday of the year. It is known as “big Eid” in contrast to Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and is called “little Eid”

For “big Eid,” Ghana’s Muslims will sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or other livestock animal. The meat is divided into thirds, one-third each to be given to family, friends, and the poor. A special donation to the poor to help them buy new clothes and food for Eid al-Adha is also mandatory.

Muslims will gather at mosques for prayer on Eid al-Adha, then go home to feast and celebrate with family and friends. They may also exchange gifts on Eid al-Adha.

Republic Day

In the West African nation of Ghana, every July 1 is Republic Day to commemorate the establishment of Ghana as an independent republic in 1960.

Note: Republic Day is a Commemorative Day, hence it is not observed as a public holiday

Founder’s Day

Since 2019, Ghana has celebrated Founder’s Day on 4 August and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day on 21 September. Formerly, Founder’s Day was on 21 September instead.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day

Every 21 September is Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day in Ghana. This holiday commemorates the birthday of Ghana’s main independence leader, first prime minister, and first president, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.

Farmers’ Day

National Farmers Day in Ghana is celebrated on the first Friday of December each year to recognize the contributions of farmers and fishers. The holiday is designed to respect the importance of the farming and fishing industry in Ghana’s socio-economic growth.

Christmas

In Ghana, the Christmas season runs from December 20 through the first week in January, with a public holiday observed every December 25 for Christmas Day. It is a time full of celebration, and many people will visit relatives living in other parts of the country during this season.

Boxing Day

This public holiday is celebrated on December 26th in several countries as part of the Christmas holidays. Typically it will be moved and celebrated on the next working day if December 26th is a Saturday or Sunday.

It has been said that the name of Boxing Day comes from people getting rid of empty boxes of presents after Christmas Day. While a beguiling notion, the tradition dates back to England in the Middle Ages, though the exact origin is debatable.