August 4 not a public holiday – Interior ministry confirms

The Ministry of the Interior has officially confirmed that Monday, 4 August 2025, will not be observed as a public holiday in Ghana.

In a statement released on 31 July, the Ministry explained that commemorative days are not classed as statutory holidays and therefore do not warrant suspension of work or public activity.

Previously, 4 August had been marked as Founder’s Day to commemorate the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), a symbolic milestone in Ghana’s independence history.

However, the holiday was removed following legislative changes earlier this year.

In June 2025, Parliament passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, reversing reforms introduced by the former Akufo-Addo administration and reinstating September 21, the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, as the official Founders’ Day.

The bill also reintroduced 1 July as a statutory holiday, Republic Day, and added another holiday, to be observed the day after Eid‑ul‑Fitr, as a new statutory holiday for the Muslim community.

It empowers the President, by executive instrument, to move holidays that fall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays to the nearest Friday, and those on weekends to Monday, aiming to boost productivity and reduce mid‑week disruption.

The Interior Ministry urged the public and institutions to take note and make necessary plans, emphasising that 4 August will be treated as a normal working day.

Below is the list of designated public holidays: