Public Holidays in Ghana 2026 – National & Public Observances
Ghana recognizes a set of statutory public holidays and commemorative days each year. These include national anniversaries, Christian holidays, and Islamic observances whose dates shift with the lunar calendar. Government institutions, banks, and many businesses close on statutory holidays. Some commemorative days are culturally observed but are not full public holidays.
Overview of Public Holidays in Ghana
Ghana’s public holidays include fixed-date national celebrations (such as Independence Day and Constitution Day), Christian holidays tied to Easter, and Islamic holidays that depend on moon sighting (Eid ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day, and Eid ul-Adha). Certain commemorative days, like African Union Day, are acknowledged but are not statutory non-working holidays.
Statutory Public Holidays in Ghana (2026)
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Thursday | Standard Gregorian New Year holiday |
| Constitution Day | January 7 | Wednesday | Marks establishment of the 1992 Constitution |
| Independence Day | March 6 | Friday | Commemoration of Ghana’s independence (1957) |
| Good Friday | April 3 | Friday | Christian observance before Easter |
| Easter Monday | April 6 | Monday | Christian holiday following Easter Sunday |
| Labour Day / Workers’ Day | May 1 | Friday | International Workers’ Day |
| Eid ul-Fitr | Movable | — | Islamic holiday; date announced by Chief Imam (includes Shaqq Day) |
| Eid ul-Adha | Movable | — | Islamic Feast of Sacrifice |
| Republic Day | July 1 | Wednesday | Ghana became a republic in 1960 |
| Founders’ Day | September 21 | Monday | Honors Ghana’s founding leaders (Big Six) |
| Farmers’ Day | December 4 | Friday | First Friday of December |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Friday | Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | Saturday | Second day of Christmas |
Statutory Public Holidays in Ghana (2025)
| Holiday | Date (2025) | Day | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Wednesday | Standard Gregorian New Year holiday |
| Constitution Day | January 7 | Tuesday | Marks establishment of the 1992 Constitution |
| Independence Day | March 6 | Thursday | Commemoration of Ghana’s independence (1957) |
| Good Friday | April 18 | Friday | Christian observance before Easter |
| Easter Monday | April 21 | Monday | Christian holiday following Easter Sunday |
| Labour Day / Workers’ Day | May 1 | Thursday | International Workers’ Day |
| Eid ul-Fitr | Movable | — | Date announced by Chief Imam (includes Shaqq Day) |
| Eid ul-Adha | Movable | — | Islamic Feast of Sacrifice |
| Republic Day | July 1 | Tuesday | Ghana became a republic in 1960 |
| Founders’ Day | September 21 | Sunday | Honors Ghana’s founding leaders |
| Farmers’ Day | December 5 | Friday | First Friday of December |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Thursday | Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | Friday | Second day of Christmas |
Commemorative Days (Non-Statutory)
Ghana also observes commemorative days that are recognized culturally but are not statutory non-working holidays. For example, African Union Day (May 25) is commemorated nationally but does not usually involve workplace closures.
Substitution / “Substituted” Holidays Rule
Under Ghanaian law, when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the President may, by executive instrument, declare the following Monday as a public holiday. In some cases, holidays falling midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) may also be substituted with a Friday or Monday.
Important: Substitution rules do not apply to Eid ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day, Eid ul-Adha, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day.
Religious & Cultural Significance
Christian holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Christmas reflect Ghana’s Christian population. Islamic holidays—Eid ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day, and Eid ul-Adha—are observed by the Muslim community and depend on lunar announcements. National holidays like Independence Day, Constitution Day, Founders’ Day, and Republic Day celebrate Ghana’s political history and sovereignty. Farmers’ Day honors the agricultural backbone of the nation.
Public Observance & Closures
On statutory public holidays, government institutions, banks, schools, and many private businesses close nationwide. Official announcements for movable Islamic holidays are issued ahead of time. Where substitution is declared, the substituted day becomes a non-working day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Ghana have each year?
Ghana typically observes 14 statutory public holidays each year, including movable Islamic holidays.
Do Islamic holidays change every year?
Yes. Eid ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day, and Eid ul-Adha follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are announced by the Chief Imam.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend?
The President may declare a substitute weekday holiday for most holidays, except for Eid holidays, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
What is Founders’ Day?
Founders’ Day (September 21) honors Ghana’s founding leaders—known as the Big Six—for their role in the independence movement.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Ghana combine religious observance, national history, and cultural recognition. From Easter and Eid celebrations to independence anniversaries and Farmers’ Day, these holidays structure Ghana’s public and civic life each year.
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