The Ministry of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has declared Thursday, 21st September 2023, as a statutory public holiday in Ghana and is also known as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day. This is a day to observe, commemorate, and remember the birthday of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkruamh.
This was contained in a statement by the sector Minister, Ambrose Dery, to mark the celebration of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.
“The general public is hereby informed that Thursday, September 21, which marks Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, is a Statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” a statement on the Ministry’s website said.
Thursday, 21st September Declared a Public Holiday
For years, Ghana has marked September 21 as the birthday of its first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The date in the past was marked as Founder’s Day in memory of the man who led the country to its independence, the first in the sub-region.
However, since the Akufo-Addo government took office, the day is observed as the first president’s birthday.
We would only get to know, after several years, that the date – September 21, may not, after all, have been the exact date the country’s first president was born.
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Born in an era where dates of births, marriages, and deaths were not registered, Dr Nkrumah, in his autobiography, cast some doubt about his date of birth.
History of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial 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.
Dr. Nkrumah was the driving force behind the independence of Ghana from British rule and founded the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
Nkrumah will always be remembered for the powerful speech he delivered on the day Ghana gained independence, March 6th 1957, proclaiming “Ghana will be free forever”, from British rule, to millions of Ghanaian gathered at the Independence Square now Black Stars Square. The speech was significant as it relinquished the British control over the Gold coast.
The day is marked with lectures and events to commemorate the achievements and legacy of Dr. Nkrumah.
Is Thursday, 21st September, a public holiday in Ghana?
Yes, it is a public holiday in Ghana and it is expected to be observed as such every year. The 2023 Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day will be observed on Thursday, 21st September.
Some ideas for what you can do on Thursday, 21st September, which is a public holiday in Ghana
- Learn about the history of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah. Kwame Nkrumah was the first president of Ghana and a leading figure in the African independence movement. You can learn more about his life and legacy by visiting the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, or by reading books and articles about him.
- Visit a museum or art gallery. Ghana has a number of excellent museums and art galleries, such as the National Museum of Ghana, the Manhyia Palace Museum, and the Ghana National Gallery.
- Spend time with your family and friends. Public holidays are a great time to relax and reconnect with loved ones. You could go out for a meal, have a picnic, or simply play games and watch movies at home.
- Go on a trip. If you have the time and money, you could take a trip to another part of Ghana or even to a neighboring country. Ghana has a lot to offer visitors, including beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and ancient historical sites.
- Volunteer your time to a good cause. There are many organizations in Ghana that could use your help. You could volunteer your time to a school, hospital, or orphanage. You could also help to clean up a beach or park.
- Attend a cultural event. There are many cultural events held throughout Ghana throughout the year. You could attend a traditional dance performance, a music concert, or a festival. 2023 Accra Food Festival: Date, Venue and More
- Try Ghanaian food. Ghanaian food is delicious and diverse. You could try some of the country’s signature dishes, such as fufu, jollof rice, and plantain chips.
- Visit a local market. Ghanaian markets are a great place to experience the local culture and buy souvenirs.
- Learn a few Ghanaian words and phrases. This will help you to communicate with locals and make your trip more enjoyable.