The rationale for the new holiday, according to the government, is to celebrate the longevity of the fourth republican constitution.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here's why Nana Addo declared January 7 as a public holiday in Ghana
The NPP administration has amended the public holiday act to include January 7.
Nana Addo
Recommended articles
The 1992 constitution was promulgated on January 7 by the transitioning military administration led by Jerry John Rawlings.
The 1992 constitution is the longest surviving constitution in Ghana.
Previous ones in the first, second and third republics could not survive after military interventions and coups.
ADVERTISEMENT
The day is being marked as "Constitution Day."
The day has been severely criticized by some Nkrumahists who see the new holiday as an attempt to downplay the role of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in achieving a republican status for Ghana.
Ghana became a republic on July 1, 1960, and until recently, the day was observed as a holiday.
With the new holiday amendment act, July 1 will no longer be a holiday.
In December 2018, a bill was laid before Parliament to amend the Public Holiday Act 2001 to provide for three different holidays.
ADVERTISEMENT
These new holidays were 7th of January which was observed as the Constitution Day earlier in 2019, 4th of August which was described as the Founders’ Day and 21st of September was marked as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.
In 2017, President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, proposed that August 4 should be observed as Founders Day in memory of the successive generations of Ghanaians who contributed to the liberation of the country from colonial rule and September 21 set aside as a memorial day for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President who was instrumental in the fight for the 6th March independence.
This bill was subsequently passed by Parliament and assented to by the President.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
Martin Kpebu laments wasting his vote in 2016: 'I thought Akufo-Addo was junior Jesus'
Ghanaian man desperate to escape poverty puts himself up for sale (video)
Ghana's premium cocoa position under threat due to galamsey — COCOBOD warns
Prepare for tough times ahead - Prof Adei warns Ghanaians
NDC poses 35 critical questions to Electoral Commission over stolen biometric devices
Court jails 22-year-old apprentice for assaulting teacher over false missing penis claim
PURC fines ECG board members GH¢5.8m over failure to release dumsor timetable
NPP's Mike Ocquaye washes pants, clothes for Dome Kwabenya constituents to secure vote
