The government has declared Friday, March 20 and Monday March 23, 2026 as statutory public holidays to mark Eid-ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day.
Monday, March 23 has been declared a public holiday, given the fact that March 21 falls on a Saturday.
“In view of the fact that 21st March falls on a Saturday, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana has by Executive Order (EI) in accordance with section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Act (Act 601), as amended, declared Monday 23rd March 2026 as additional public holiday,” a statement issued on March 13, signed by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, explained.
The Interior Ministry urged the public to observe the holidays accordingly throughout the country.
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the two main festivals celebrated in Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha.
It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The festival is celebrated by Muslims around the world as it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting observed during Ramadan.
The holiday which was initially a day’s celebration was extended to two day’s in fulfillment of a campaign promise made by President Mahama ahead of the 2024 elections.
This would be the second time the nation marks a two-day holiday in celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong