Constitution Day in Ghana
Celebrated as a statutory public holiday in Ghana on the 7th of January annually, Constitution Day marks the enactment of the 1992 Constitution and the beginning of the Fourth Republic. It falls after the presidential and parliamentary elections and signifies the commencement of the new parliament after each election year.
Ghana (Public holiday)This holiday is traditionally celebrated with parades, political speeches, and a variety of other festivities. Because it is a public holiday, it is a day off for the general public, and many schools, businesses, and government offices are closed on this day.
The History of Constitution Day in Ghana
Prior to the 1992 Constitution, Ghana had three constitutions. However, these constitutions were rendered meaningless by various military coups that occurred over the years. On April 28, 1992, the Constitution of Ghana was adopted, and it officially came into effect on January 7, 1993. The holiday celebrating this constitution has been observed every year since.
Interesting Facts About Ghana
The following facts about Ghana are quite interesting, and we would like to share them with everyone learning about Constitution Day in Ghana:
- Polygamy is legal in Ghana.
- Ghana became the first self-governing country on the African continent in 1957.
- About half of the population of Ghana speaks English, which is one of the country’s official languages.
- Ghana consists of lowland hills and is located on the west coast of Africa.
- The slave trade was banned in Ghana in the early 19th century.
- In 1661, Christiansborg Castle was built by the Danish and became a center of the slave trade.
- Ghana is the world’s seventh-largest producer of gold.
Observing Constitution Day in Ghana
Around this holiday, many schools and libraries hold special educational programs that help students learn about the Constitution. There are also military parades and other special events observed by the people of Ghana on this day.
Some people use the day off to have meals with friends and family—meals that can include dishes such as Jollof Rice, Tua Zaafi, fried fish, and Omo Tuo.
Ghana (Public holiday)
