Today is a special day for Muslims to celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

As part of efforts to ensure an incident-free day celebration, check for overcrowding, traffic congestion, or isolated clashes among youth groups, the Ghana Police Service has deployed personnel at hot zones such as mosques, prayer grounds, major roads, markets, transport terminals, and other public spaces expected to witness large gatherings.

In a formal statement issued on Thursday, March 19, the police indicated that,

“The Accra Regional Police Command wishes to assure the general public of adequate security arrangements put in place to ensure peaceful and incident-free Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations across the Region. The Command has deployed sufficient Police personnel to strategic locations, including mosques, Eid prayer grounds, major roads, markets, transport terminals, and other public places to protect lives and property”,  the statement said.

Consequently, a special force has been deployed to regulate vehicular traffic during the festivities.

“ Special traffic management teams have also been detailed to regulate vehicular movement before, during, and after the prayers and festivities to ease congestion and promote road safety. In addition, patrol teams will intensify visibility policing within communities to deter crime and respond promptly to emergencies”, the police continued.

“The move is expected to promote road safety and ensure smooth mobility throughout the celebrations. Police patrol teams will also intensify visibility policing in communities across the region to deter criminal activities and respond swiftly to emergencies,” the statement said.

While outlining the security arrangements, the Command urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with officers on duty. Residents have been encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station to support efforts aimed at maintaining public safety.

Motorists and pedestrians have also been advised to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to avoid accidents and ensure an orderly celebration.

“The Accra Regional Police Command wishes all Muslims and the general public a peaceful and joyous Eid-ul-Fitr celebration”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, today 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.