Mahama to reinstate July 1 as public holiday

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to reinstate July 1 as a statutory public holiday, restoring its significance as Republic Day and Senior Citizens Day.

The President also announced the proposal of a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in Ghana, giving opportunity to Ghanaians to reflect and express gratitude for the nation’s progress.

President Mahama made these promises during his ‘Thank You’ visit to the Western Region on Wednesday, February 5.

“We will have the opportunity soon as a nation to pray and give thanks to the Almighty God, as enjoined by the Holy Book that says, ‘In all things, give thanks.

“We will thank God for His beautiful blessings on our nation, Ghana, and I will soon announce a planning committee made up of religious leaders to plan the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving,” he noted.

The President also affirmed that his administration would present amendments to the Public Holidays Act to Parliament to ensure that July 1 is officially reinstated as a statutory holiday.

“Nananom, my brothers and sisters, we will soon present to Parliament amendments to the Public Holidays Act in order that we can restore July 1 as a holiday,” he assured.

In addition to restoring Republic Day, President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling a longstanding promise to the Muslim community by introducing an extra holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr.

“In the amendments of the Public Holidays Act, we shall also make provisions to fulfil our promise to the Muslim community of an extra holiday to mark the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr,” he added.