Ghana Public holidays

This article features a national calendar of all Ghanaian public holidays in 2023. Please check back frequently for updates, since these dates may change once formal alterations are announced.

Ghana Public Holidays 2023 – Key Dates

Date Day Holiday
1 Jan Sun New Year’s Day
2 Jan Mon New Year Holiday
7 Jan Sat Constitution Day
9 Jan Mon Constitution Day Holiday
6 Mar Mon Independence Day
7 Apr Fri Good Friday
10 Apr Mon Easter Monday
21 Apr Fri Eid al-Fitr
1 May Mon May Day
25 May Thu Africa Unity Day *
28 Jun Wed Eid al-Adha
1 Jul Sat Republic Day *
4 Aug Fri Founders’ Day
21 Sep Thu Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day
1 Dec Fri Farmers’ Day
25 Dec Mon Christmas Day
26 Dec Tue Boxing Day
Visit gov.gh for the original release.

1. New Year Day – January 1

This is the first holiday in the Ghanaian calendar of Ghana Public Holidays 2023. Like many other countries in the world, January 1st is considered as a public holiday in Ghana. The New Year generally marks the beginning of a new year and is regarded as a universal public holiday. Adopted from the Gregorian calendar, the New Year has been incorporated as a public holiday in many countries around the world due to the expansion of western culture and Ghana is no exception.

New Year festivities in Ghana are usually marked with fireworks and festivities. However, there is no official state function on January 1 to commemorate this occasion.

2. Constitution Day – January 7

Constitution Day in Ghana is a public holiday that commemorates the country’s adoption of its fourth Republican Constitution on January 7, 1993. It is a day to reflect on the importance of democracy and the rule of law in Ghanaian society. The holiday was first observed in 2019, and it is celebrated with various events and activities across the country.

3. Independence Day – March 6

As its name suggests, Independence Day is a public holiday commemorating the day Ghana gained independence and became a sovereign state. Ghana was originally a British colony and was governed by the British until it gained independence. During its pre-colonial days, Ghana was known as the “Gold Coast” due to its rich gold deposits but changed its name to the Republic of Ghana after gaining independence on March 6, 1957. Independence Day is not only considered as a public holiday but also incorporates a state function whose main highlight is a speech by the head of state.

Ghana public holidays 2018

4. Good Friday – April 7

Like many other countries where Christianity is pre-dominant, Good Friday also features as a public holiday in the official Ghana Public Holidays 2023. Good Friday forms part of the Easter holiday and is generally the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There is no official state function on this day and Ghanaian Christians usually converge in churches during this day.

5. Easter Monday – April 10

Easter Monday is another universal public holiday specific to pre-dominant Christian states. Like Good Friday, Easter Monday does not incorporate any state function though it is considered as a public holiday. Easter Monday usually comes after Easter Sunday and is a commemoration of Jesus Christ resurrection.

6. Eid-al-Fitr – April 21

Ghana has its sizeable share of Muslims and as such, also considers Islamic holidays as public holidays. Eid-il-future is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated in many countries around the world. The dates for this festival usually vary.

7. May Day – May 1

May Day is next in line in the list of Ghana Public Holidays 2013 & 2014. May Day is an ancient northern spring festival which also coincides with the international workers day better known as Labor Day in many countries around the world. This holiday is considered as a public holiday and is usually marked by labor union functions.

8. Africa Union Day – May 25 (Commemorative)

Africa unity day is a landmark commemorative day in some African countries and commemorates the founding of the Organization of Africa unity may 25 1963 in Addis Ababa. However, this public holiday is observed only in Ghana, Mali, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe with a majority of African countries not considering it a public holiday.

9. Eid-al-Adha- Feast of sacrifice – June 28

This is the second-most-important holiday in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his youngest son. The date for this holiday usually varies with the Islamic calendar.

10. Republic Day – July 1

This is an official state-recognized public holiday which commemorates the day Ghana became a republic.

11. Republic Day Holiday – July 2

On this day, Ghana observes the Republic Day. Why the holiday is being commemorated on July 2, (Monday) is because the holiday falls on a Saturday. Interestingly, the Republic Day has also become Senior Citizens’ Day, a day that recognizes the efforts and contributions of senior citizens to the country.

12. Founder’s Day – August 4

Founder’s Day is meant to commemorate both Nkrumah and others who led the way toward Ghanian independence.

13. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day – September 21

This public holiday falls on the birthday of former president Kwame Nkrumah, a great African personality who helped Ghana achieve its independence and one of its founding fathers. Born on September 1, 1909, in Nkroful, Nkrumah died on April 27, 1972, in Bucharest, Romania.  He was the first prime minister and president of the Republic of Ghana.

Ghana public holidays
Kwame Nkrumah

14. Farmer’s Day – December 1

This national holiday whose main aim is to honor farmers and fishermen. The national government usually announces its agricultural plans during this day and also unveils ways to make cultivation of plants and rearing of animals better for the people. The Farmer’s Day is celebrated on every first Friday in December.

15. Christmas Day – 25 December

A universal public holiday, Christmas day commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is considered a public holiday in Ghana. On this day, Ghanaians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is usually a day of joy and merriment and is marked by so many activities around the country. While some people usually stay at home and welcome visitors, friends, and loved ones, others take a trip to event centers, amusement parks, entertainment functions, and a whole lot of other places.

16. Boxing Day – December 26

This is another public holiday that features in the Ghanaian calendar. The boxing day is usually celebrated a day after Christmas all over the world. It is a day Ghanaians give back to the less fortunate. The atmosphere is often clouded with excitement and liveliness of the Yuletide season.

Notes

Ghana Public Holidays 2023 – Ghana officially known as the Republic of Ghana is a West African state located near the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. Ghana is not only an agricultural hub but is also best known for its rich mineral resources most specifically oil, natural gas, and gold. As such, it is considered as one of the most stable economies in Africa and also offers great investment opportunities for any foreigner be it in agriculture or the mining field.

For any would-be investor both local and international, having a thorough understanding of the public holidays in Ghana is considered as an absolute necessity as this would help in planning out any business activity. The above overview of Ghana Public Holidays 2023 would prove invaluable for such individuals.