The Government of Ghana has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, and Saturday, March 21, 2026, as statutory public holidays to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr and Shaqq Day.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior, Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak announced that an additional public holiday has been declared for Monday, March 23, 2026.
This adjustment ensures that workers and the public enjoy a full long weekend, as one of the designated holidays falls on a Saturday.
“The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 20th March and Saturday, 21st March 2026 mark Eid-Ul-Fitr and Shaqq Days, which are statutory public holidays,” the Minister stated.
He further explained that President John Dramani Mahama has issued an Executive Instrument declaring Monday, March 23, as an extra public holiday nationwide.
The decision aligns with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), which empowers the President to designate an additional holiday when a statutory public holiday occurs on a weekend.
Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, is a significant Islamic celebration observed by Muslims in Ghana and worldwide. It involves special prayers, acts of charity (Zakat al-Fitr), feasting, family reunions, and community gatherings.
Shaqq Day, observed the day after Eid-ul-Fitr, provides extended time for reflection and continued festivities following the introduction of this holiday in recent legislative updates.
The declaration means that public institutions, schools, banks, and most private businesses will remain closed during this period, allowing citizens, particularly the Muslim community, to fully participate in the celebrations.
The Ministry urged all Ghanaians to observe these holidays peacefully and responsibly.