The Ministry for the Interior has declared Monday, June 17, 2024, a statutory public holiday.
This is in recognition of Eid-Ul-Adha, which falls on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
A statement released by the Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, explained that the decision was made in accordance with the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).
Eid-Ul-Adha, a significant Islamic festival, is recognized as a statutory public holiday in Ghana.
Since this year’s celebration falls on a Sunday, the government has designated the following Monday as an additional public holiday using an Executive Instrument (E.I).
The ministry reiterated that the holiday should be observed throughout the country.
“However, in view of the fact that 16th June 2024 falls on a Sunday, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, (Act 601) declared Monday, 17th June 2024 as an additional Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement added.
Eid ul-Adha is one of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. The festival honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God’s command. The Muslims believe that before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.