The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has announced major changes to Ghana’s public holiday calendar.

Through the Interior Ministry, the government laid before Parliament the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The proposed legislation sought to establish July 1 as a new public holiday and restore the controversial Founder’s Day observance to September 21.

In welcome news for workers, the bill includes provisions to move all midweek holidays (falling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) to Fridays.

“Mr. Speaker, we are keeping 1st January as New Year Day, 7th January as Constitutional Day, 6th March as Independence Day, March or April for Good Friday for our Christian brothers, March or April as Easter Monday for our Christian brothers, 1st May as Labour Day, 1st July as Republic Day. It was pushed to commemorate it. We believe that this is a very significant day in the life of Ghana that we should not just relegate to the background and therefore we are bringing it back as a full holiday and we believe that as a country we are united around the 1st July,” the Minister said.

This change aims to create longer weekends and potentially boost productivity.

However, the Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to the Majority’s decision to fast-track the bill under a certificate of urgency.

Opposition members argued this approach sidelines more pressing national issues that require parliamentary attention.

In the end, Parliament passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

myjoyonline.com

Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has declared she would not resign from office, framing her removal process as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Her speech in Accra marks a critical moment in Ghana’s escalating judicial crisis, as this is the first time such an address by a Chief Justice is being conducted.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, June 25, she explained that “If I resign under these circumstances, I will be saying that this flawed, unknown and opaque possesses acceptable. It is not.”

“Finally, let me respectfully say that the current bizarre proceedings that I have brought to your attention present a twist to our nation’s democratic journey that we all ignore at our own cost.”

Justice Torkornoo’s suspension on April 22, 2025, followed three petitions alleging misconduct, which President John Mahama deemed sufficient to trigger an investigation under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

A five-member committee was formed to probe the allegations, but the process has been mired in controversy.

The suspended Chief Justice has repeatedly challenged the proceedings, filing a Supreme Court injunction to halt the committee’s work, citing violations of her rights.

According to her, Ghana has come too far “not to be concerned about the unconstitutionalities that have been designed not to affect just me personally as Chief Justice, but all judges and public officers, subject to removal processes of Article 146.

She alleges degrading treatment, including body searches, confiscation of electronic devices, and exclusion of her family from hearings held at Osu Castle, a high-security zone she called “psychological intimidation”

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs across all customer categories, effective 1st July 2025, as part of its quarterly review mechanism.

The tariff adjustment, which applies to residential, non-residential, and special load tariff (SLT) customers, is based on a detailed analysis of macroeconomic and operational factors, including inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising fuel costs.

According to a statement issued by the Commission, the upward review is necessary to sustain utility service providers and ensure a reliable electricity supply.

The adjustment takes into account a projected average inflation rate of 20.67%, a Ghana Cedi to US Dollar exchange rate of GHS10.3052, and an increase in the weighted average cost of gas (WACoG) to USD 7.7134/MMBtu.

“The Commission has carefully analysed the existing parameters and, considering the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians, has approved a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs across board and 0% increment in water tariffs,” the statement noted.

The third quarter’s generation mix remains unchanged, with 28.8% from hydro sources and 71.2% from thermal sources. The Commission also factored in GHS488 million in outstanding revenues from previous quarters, as well as the cost implications of maintaining reserve capacity to ensure grid stability.

Summary of Key Adjustments:

• Lifeline customers (0–30kWh): tariff increases from GHp77.63/kWh to GHp79.53/kWh
• Residential users (0–300kWh): new tariff at GHp180.19/kWh
• Non-residential users (301+kWh): adjusted to GHp202.17/kWh
• High Voltage Mines customers: now GHp508.09/kWh, up from GHp495.93

The Commission underscored that these quarterly reviews are not arbitrary but are a necessary measure to maintain the real value of tariffs in the face of economic pressures and to uphold the financial health of utility service providers.

Consumers have been urged to note the new tariffs and plan accordingly as the adjustment takes effect next month.

Meanwhile, the PURC has confirmed that water tariffs will remain unchanged for the third quarter of 2025, maintaining a 0.00% adjustment rate.

Despite pressures similar to those influencing electricity tariffs, the PURC concluded that current water rates are sustainable for now, offering relief to consumers already grappling with broader economic challenges.

myjoyonline.com