Quick Answer: Ghana's 2026 public holiday calendar combines fixed statutory dates with movable Islamic observances and extra days that require an official declaration. For reliable planning, use the Ministry of the Interior calendar, then check later notices for Eid dates and any additional public holidays. The Ministry has already published notices for Eid-ul-Adha and the July Republic Day observance.

Ghana Holidays 2026: Use Official Notices, Not Generic Calendars

The Ministry of the Interior publishes Ghana's statutory public holiday calendar and later declarations when a movable observance or an additional public holiday needs confirmation. This guide is a planning reference, not a substitute for an Executive Instrument or Ministry notice. Check the Ministry before booking travel, closing a business or setting a payroll deadline.

Four 2026 Dates Confirmed by the Ministry Calendar

  • New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January.
  • Constitution Day: Wednesday 7 January.
  • Independence Day: Friday 6 March.
  • Good Friday and Easter Monday: Friday 3 April and Monday 6 April.

The Ministry's 2026 calendar also identifies Workers' Day on 1 May, Republic Day on 1 July, Founder's Day on 21 September, Farmers' Day on 4 December, Christmas Day on 25 December and Boxing Day on 26 December. The calendar labels Eid-ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day and Eid-ul-Adha as movable observances, with dates supplied through the year.

Confirmed 2026 Ministry Declarations

On 15 May 2026, the Ministry declared Wednesday 27 May as the public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha. On 24 June 2026, it declared Friday 3 July as a public holiday in connection with Republic Day. These notices show why a single generic calendar cannot safely predict every observed day.

Three Checks Before You Make Plans

  1. Check the Ministry calendar: Use the annual statutory calendar for fixed dates.
  2. Check later declarations: Movable Islamic observances and additional public holidays can be announced separately.
  3. Confirm with your employer or provider: Airlines, schools, banks and private employers may publish operational schedules that differ from general holiday information.

How Substitute and Additional Days Work

Ghana's public holiday law permits the President to declare an additional or substituted day by Executive Instrument. The 2025 amendment information published by the Ministry explains that a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday holiday may lead to a Monday or Friday declaration, while a Saturday or Sunday holiday may lead to a Monday declaration. It also says the substitution rule does not apply to Eid-ul-Fitr, Shaqq Day, Eid-ul-Adha, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

That means a weekend holiday does not automatically create a day off. Wait for the relevant official notice before treating an extra date as confirmed.

Two Practical Uses for the Calendar

Travel planning: Use statutory dates to anticipate busier transport periods and book accommodation early. For end of year travel, pair this guide with our December in Ghana planning guide.

Work planning: Mark confirmed dates in a shared calendar, then set a reminder to check the Ministry notice before a movable feast or an expected substitute day.