Founders' Day in Ghana in 2025

Founders' Day in Ghana in 2025
Boti Falls is a 30m high waterfall within the Boti Forest Reserve about 30 minutes east of Koforidua. Image by demerzel21 , via Deposit Photos
  How long until Founders' Day?
Founders' Day
  Dates of Founders' Day in Ghana
2026 Ghana Tue, Aug 4 Public Holiday
2025 Ghana Mon, Aug 4 Public Holiday
2024 Ghana Mon, Aug 5 Public Holiday (in lieu)
2023 Ghana Fri, Aug 4 Public Holiday
2022 Ghana Thu, Aug 4 Public Holiday
  Summary

4th August has been chosen as the date for Founders' Day as it marks two important events in Ghana's history

When is Founders' Day?

This statutory public holiday is celebrated on August 4th. If August 4th falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday.

Prior to the passing of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law in March 2019, the holiday on September 21st was known as Founders' Day.

History of Founders' Day

In 1874, Britain took control over parts of Ghana, naming them the British Gold Coast.

Britain was weakened by the efforts of World War II and following a rising desire for independence, Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, on March 6th 1957.

August 4th has been chosen as the date for Founders' Day as it marks two important events in Ghana's history. It is the date for the formation of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society by John Mensah Sarbah in 1897, and the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by J.B. Danquah and George Alfred "Paa" Grant.

In a message to the nation to mark the inaugural Founders' Day on Sunday August 4th 2019, President Nana Akufo-Addo said: "We acknowledge the role played by successive generations of Ghanaians towards the liberation of our country from colonization and imperialism.”

Akufo-Addo added, “it is time we rose above partisan considerations, set the record straight, recognise the collective efforts in gaining our freedom and independence from colonial rule and do right by our history.”


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