Ghana

In June 2025, the Ghanaian Parliament approved the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introducing key changes to Ghana’s holiday calendar.

The bill introduces a new public holiday for the Muslim community, known as Shaqq Day, to be observed a day after Eid-ul-Fitr, , a major Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.. The day is intended to allow extended reflection and celebration after the Islamic festival.

The Minister for Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka said the introduction of this holiday fulfils a key pledge in the 2024 election manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and honours the public commitment of President John Dramani Mahama to promote religious inclusivity.

In presenting the Bill to Parliament, he emphasised that the amendment reflects Ghana’s evolving social fabric and commitment to equitable recognition of the country’s diverse religious and cultural identities.

“This amendment is a progressive step toward religious equity,” the minister noted.

“It acknowledges the significance of the Muslim community in our national life and ensures their practices are respected and celebrated,” he said.

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Before the arrival of Europeans, Ghana was the location of the Ashanti, a powerful tribe in the region. The area had an abundance of natural resources, including gold and ivory, which attracted the attention of colonists. While the Portuguese had been the first to establish a settlement in the region, the attractiveness of the local riches led to a struggle for control between many European nations. In 1874, Britain took control over parts of the country, naming them the British Gold Coast.

The currency of Ghana is called the cedi. The word ‘cedi’ comes from a word meaning a cowry shell. Cowry shells were once used as money in Ghana.

Weakened by the efforts of World War II, Britain had begun the process of reducing its colonies around the world, including those Africa.

This desire was matched by a rising call for independence in the Gold Coast. In 1947, the United Gold Coast Convention called for “self-government within the shortest possible time” following the Gold Coast legislative elections. In 1951, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah won a majority in the Gold Coast legislative election and in 1952. Nkrumah was appointed the leader of the Gold Coast government. 

The Gold Coast region declared its independence from the United Kingdom on March 6th 1957 and established the nation of Ghana. 

Nkrumah went on to become the first Prime Minister of Ghana.

Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, on March 6th 1957.