Republic Day in Ghana
Republic Day in Ghana is observed annually on the 1st of July. It commemorates the country becoming a republic in 1960. Originally, when this holiday was created shortly after Ghana became a republic, it was considered a national holiday. However, that is no longer the case, and this holiday is now only seen as being commemorative.
Ghana (Public holiday)Regardless, it’s a day when people in the country dress up in brightly colored clothing known as kente and spend time with friends and family members. It’s also a good day for people to enjoy traditional Ghanaian food such as jollof rice, banku and tilapia, and kelewele.
The History of Republic Day in Ghana
During the 19th century, Britain took over the area now known as Ghana and named it the British Gold Coast. After WWII, the British began to retreat from the area, partly due to the great losses they suffered during the war and partly because of the growing unrest in some of their colonies. On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence.
In 1960, Prime Minister Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was sworn in as Ghana’s first President, and on July 1st, he proclaimed the country a republic. It has since been seen as a symbol of the fight against colonial rule in Ghana.
Observing Republic Day in Ghana
This holiday is not only commemorative and seen as a symbol of the historic struggle against colonialism, but it’s also a day on which many people honor the seniors in their lives. Senior citizens who have made invaluable contributions to Ghana, making it the country it is today.
People also use this day to attend special events. Because it’s no longer a national holiday, businesses and government offices remain open on this day. On popular social media accounts, the hashtag #RepublicDayGhana can be used to spread the word about this holiday.
Ghana (Public holiday)
