Ghana declares September 21, 2026, a public holiday for Founder's Day

Ghana's Ministry of the Interior has officially declared Monday, September 21, 2026, a statutory public holiday in observance of Founder's Day. The declaration, signed by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, recognizes the individuals who contributed to the nation's struggle for independence.

The holiday specifically commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president and a central figure in the country's independence movement. The designation of September 21 as Founder's Day follows legislative changes; previously, under the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act of 2019, August 4 was observed as Founder's Day while September 21 was marked as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day. A 2025 amendment consolidated these observances, designating September 21 as Founder's Day.

Under Ghana's Labour Act, employees required to work on this statutory public holiday are entitled to either overtime pay or a compensatory day off in lieu.