President Mahama announces two public holidays for Eid-al-Fitr 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise of introducing a two-day holiday for Eid-al-Fitr celebrations.

Speaking at the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event at the National Mosque in Accra on Friday, 10 January 2025, President Mahama assured attendees that Parliament would amend the Public Holidays Act, 2001 (Act 601), to include an additional holiday for the occasion.

We promised to add one more holiday to the Eid-al-Fitr. So as soon as Parliament settles, we're going to amend the Holidays Act to include an extra holiday on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr. And so this year, after we finish the fast of Ramadan, we will have two holidays for the Salah festivities.

In his address, President Mahama also outlined plans to fulfil other campaign promises, including reducing Hajj fares, recruiting more Arabic teachers, and providing scholarships to Muslim students in deprived communities.

I have formed a five-member Hajj taskforce, led by our longest-serving MP, Collins Dauda, and they’ll be leaving for the Holy Land on Monday to participate in the Hajj conference. One of the tasks I have given them is to make arrangements to bring Hajj fares as low as possible so that as many Muslims as possible can perform the pilgrimage.

We also promised to train and recruit more Arabic teachers for our Islamic schools. Additionally, we will establish the Soyayya Fund, a microcredit scheme to support mothers, fathers, and families in deprived Muslim communities.

In a related statement, President Mahama urged supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to refrain from attacking state institutions, emphasising the need for national unity and respect for democratic structures.

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