With the enactment of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Parliament formally reinstated September 21 as Founder’s Day, dedicating the day to Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Since Nkrumah is largely considered to have been the impetus behind Ghana’s independence, the government has chosen to save the day exclusively for him, ending years of political wrangling about how to honor the country’s freedom leaders.
The amendment essentially abolishes the August 4 Founders’ Day holiday, which was instituted in recent years to honor all the people and organizations that helped Liberate Ghana.
The government contends that although many people contributed, Dr. Nkrumah’s foresight, vision, and tenacity were what led to independence and established the country’s framework.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak made the announcement in Parliament, stating that the return of September 21 as Founder’s Day honors Nkrumah’s unparalleled achievement and represents Ghana’s historical reality.
“The purpose of the proposed amendment to the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601), seeks to provide for the removal of the celebration of Founder’s Day on 4th August as a public holiday and rename Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day as Founders’ day which is to be celebrated on 21st September,” the Minister stated.
Nkrumah was born on September 21.
Under his leadership, Ghana became the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to become independent from British colonial authority on March 6, 1957.
Although many common Ghanaians and Nkrumah’s supporters have welcomed the return of his day, the shift has sparked new political debates.
Some opposition MPs contend that Ghana’s history ought to acknowledge the combined achievements of all freedom warriors, including those who support the previous government that instituted Founders’ Day on August 4.
Notwithstanding the reservations, the measure was approved along with additional amendments that restored July 1 as Republic Day and established Shaqq Day, a new Muslim holiday to be honored following Eid-ul-Fitr.
In order to extend weekends and boost productivity, the amendment also gives the president the authority to reschedule midweek public holidays to the closest Friday or Monday.
Source: newsthemegh.com