The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of the Interior Ghana, has declared Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 2026, as public holidays to mark Eid al-Fitr and Shaqq Day.
In a statement issued to the general public on March 13, 2026, the Ministry indicated that the two occasions are statutory public holidays and should be observed as such across the country.
However, since March 21, 2026, falls on a Saturday, the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, has by Executive Instrument (E.I)—in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), as amended—declared Monday, March 23, 2026, as an additional public holiday to be observed nationwide.
The development follows the passage of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025 by Parliament of Ghana. The amendment allows the President to shift midweek public holidays—those falling between Tuesday and Thursday—to the nearest Friday or Monday in order to create longer weekends.
Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide after a month of fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection.
On the day, Muslims gather for special congregational prayers, share festive meals with family and friends and offer charity to the less fortunate.
The celebration symbolises renewal, gratitude, joy and unity within Muslim communities across Ghana and around the world.
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