The Government of Ghana has declared Friday, January 9, 2026, a public holiday to mark Constitution Day 2026, following an Executive Instrument issued by President John Dramani Mahama. The announcement was made by the Ministry of the Interior in Accra on Friday, January 2, 2026, to enable nationwide observance of the statutory holiday.
Why Constitution Day Has Been Moved to January 9
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Constitution Day falls on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. However, in line with provisions under the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), as amended, the President exercised his authority to shift the holiday to Friday, January 9, 2026, to allow broader participation across the country.
Legal Basis for the Declaration
The declaration follows recent legislative changes after Parliament passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, under a certificate of urgency. The amendment empowers the President to adjust public holidays when they fall midweek.
Key Changes Introduced by the Amended Public Holidays Law
The amended Act introduces several notable changes to Ghana’s public holidays calendar:
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Shaqq Day added as a statutory public holiday for the Muslim community, observed a day after Eid-ul-Fitr
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September 21 reinstated as Founders’ Day
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August 4 removed from the list of statutory public holidays
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July 1 (Republic Day) restored as a full public holiday
The government stated that these changes were made to rationalise public holidays and retain those with broad national acceptance.
Official Remarks from the Interior Minister
Presenting the bill to Parliament, Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, said the government reviewed the number of public holidays in fulfilment of its commitment to rationalise them.
“The restructuring was intended to remove holidays that had generated controversy and retain those that enjoyed broad national consensus,” he explained.
He added that the government would maintain:
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January 1 – New Year’s Day
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January 7 – Constitution Day
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March 6 – Independence Day
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Good Friday and Easter Monday
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May 1 – Labour Day
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July 1 – Republic Day
Minority Criticism of the Amendment
The passage of the bill attracted criticism from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who questioned the decision to fast-track changes to the public holidays regime.
“With Ghana facing serious socio-economic challenges and unfulfilled reform promises, the push to fast-track a holiday amendment was frankly perplexing,” he said.
Significance of Constitution Day in Ghana
Constitution Day commemorates the coming into force of the 1992 Constitution, which established Ghana’s Fourth Republic. Approved by referendum on April 28, 1992, the Constitution came into effect on January 7, 1993, and remains the supreme law of the land.
January 7 is also significant as the day on which elected Presidents are sworn into office during election years, reinforcing its importance in Ghana’s democratic history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is January 7, 2026, a public holiday?
Yes, Constitution Day falls on January 7, but it will be observed on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Why was the holiday moved to Friday?
The law allows the President to shift midweek holidays to Fridays for nationwide observance.
Does this change apply nationwide?
Yes, Friday, January 9, 2026, is to be observed as a public holiday throughout Ghana.
