Friday, March 20, 2026 and Monday, March 23, 2026, have been declared nationwide public holidays.

The Ministry of Interior announced in a statement issued on Friday, March 13.

According to the statement, the holiday is declared in recognition of the celebrations of Eid ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day, which fall on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 2026, respectively.

“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,” parts of the statement read.

According to the statement, both days are statutory public holidays under the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).

However, the Ministry explained that since March 21, 2026, falls on a Saturday, John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I) declared Monday, March 23, 2026, as an additional public holiday.

“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), as amended, declared Monday, 23rd March 2026, as an Additional Public Holiday…” the statement added.

The Ministry therefore urged the general public to observe Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 23, 2026, as public holidays throughout the country.

“and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the Ministry continued.

Meanwhile, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Republic Day was reinstated as a statutory public holiday after Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which amended Act 601.

However, the government noted that statutory holidays that fell on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday would be commemorated on Monday or Friday. As such, the government declared July 4 a holiday.

The passage of the bill followed an assessment by the Committee on Defence and Interior, along with the leadership of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, who deemed the bill urgent.

While presenting the motion for the adoption of the committee’s report, Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, explained that the government had reviewed the number of public holidays in line with its earlier commitments to reform and streamline the holiday calendar.

He emphasized that Republic Day held great significance in Ghana’s history, which was why the government reinstated it as a full public holiday.

According to him, Ghana would continue to observe key holidays such as New Year’s Day on January 1, Constitution Day on January 7, Independence Day on March 6, Good Friday and Easter Monday in March or April for Christians, Labour Day on May 1, and Republic Day on July 1.

The bill was introduced to Parliament by Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka in his capacity as Interior Minister the previous week and was passed under a certificate of urgency after its first reading.

In 2024, President John Dramani Mahama expressed regret over his predecessor, former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to abolish Republic Day as a public holiday and pledged to reinstate it.

He wrote on Facebook, “It was most regrettable that the current government had scrapped commemorating this important day as a public holiday. However, as we reflected on the significance of Republic Day, we used it as a rallying call to rekindle the spirit of dedication and commitment that our forebears demonstrated. We had to continue building a better, renewed Ghana where opportunities were created for everyone to thrive.”

During his Thank You tour in the Western Region on February 5, President Mahama revealed that he planned not only to declare July 1 a statutory holiday but also a day when Ghanaians would gather and pray.

The proposed day was expected to provide an opportunity for Ghanaians to reflect on and appreciate the country's achievements and progress.

“We would have the opportunity as a nation to pray and give thanks to the Almighty God, as enjoined by the Holy Book that says, ‘In all things, give thanks,’” he stated.

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo also called on Ghanaians to support President Mahama's declaration of July 1 as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.

“All of us had to support this initiative. It was a worthwhile initiative that we had this one day where all of us came together to give thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings He had bestowed upon us,” he said.

To facilitate a seamless observance, President Mahama established a committee of religious leaders responsible for coordinating preparations for the event.