Holiday Details
- Holiday Name
- New Year's Day
- Country
- Ghana
- Date
- January 1, 2026
- Day of Week
- Thursday
- Status
- Today!
- About this Holiday
- New Year’s Day is the first day of the year, or January 1, in the Gregorian calendar.
Happy New Year's Day!
Today is New Year's Day in Ghana!
TODAY!
Enjoy New Year's Day!
About New Year's Day
Also known as: New Year's Day
Akwaaba 2026: Afenhyia Pa – Akwantu ne Amanneɛ a ɛfa New Year’s Day ho wɔ Ghana
New Year’s Day anaa Afe Foforo Da yɛ ɛda a ɛho hia kɛse wɔ Ghana amammuo ne atetesɛm mu. Ɛyɛ ɛda a ɛdi kan wɔ Gregorian kalenda mu, na ɛkyerɛ sɛ yɛawie afe dede no na yɛapue mu akɔ afe foforo bi a anidasoɔ ne nhyira foforo wɔ mu. Wɔ Ghana, saa da yi nnye afe foforo nko ara, na mmom ɛyɛ berɛ a yɛde kyerɛ anigye, aseda, na yɛka nkabom a ɛda abusua ne nnamfo ntam no mu den. Ɛyɛ ɛda a ɛkyerɛ sɛ yɛatwa Christmas afahyɛ no mu kwan baako na yɛregye yɛn ahom wɔ berɛ a yɛresiesie yɛn ho ama adwumayɛ afe foforo no.
Saa da yi yɛ soronko efisɛ ɛka nnipa nyinaa bom, ɛmfa ho sɛ woyɛ Kristoni, Kramoni, anaa atetesɛm somni. Ghanafoɔ de anigyeɛ kɛseɛ na ɛhyia afe foforo no. Anadwo a ɛdi ɛda yi kan, a yɛfrɛ no "Watchnight Service," yɛ berɛ a asɔre ahodoɔ nyinaa yɛ ma na nnipa pii kɔbɔ mpaeɛ de da Awurade ase sɛ wakora wɔn so mfeɛ dumien mu. Sɛ dɔnhwerew dumien bɔ pɛ na afe foforo no ba a, wobɛte sɛ nnipa reteam, ntwene rebɔ, na atuo ne "fireworks" rehyerɛn wɔ wim de kyerɛ sɛ yɛadi nkunim wɔ afe dede no so. New Year's Day ankasa yɛ berɛ a yɛde gye yɛn ahom, didi, na yɛnom de hyɛ yɛn ho den.
Berɛ bɛn na yɛbɛdi New Year’s Day wɔ 2026 mu?
Wɔ afe 2026 mu no, New Year’s Day bɛtɔ Thursday, January 1, 2026. Saa da yi bɛyɛ ɛda a ɛho hia kɛseɛ na ɛbɛma Ghanafoɔ anya berɛ de ahyɛ afe no ase yie. Nkane a ɛteɛ ne sɛ, ɛda a ɛka ho no yɛ 0 pɛ na yɛadu saa berɛ anigyeɛ no mu.
New Year’s Day yɛ "fixed holiday" wɔ Ghana, kyerɛ sɛ afe biara ɛtɔ January 1. Nanso, sɛ January 1 tɔ Memeneda anaa Kwasieda a, aban no taa de ɛda a ɛdi hɔ (Dwowda) ma sɛ ahomegyeɛ da ma obiara. Wɔ afe 2026 mu, ɛnam sɛ ɛtɔ Thursday nti, ɛbɛyɛ ɛda a ɛda hɔ fann a obiara bɛnya kwan agye n’ahom. Ɛtɔ mmerɛ bi a, aban no tumi de January 2 nso ka ho ma ɛyɛ "bank holiday," titiriw sɛ wɔpɛ sɛ nnipa nya berɛ pii de gye wɔn ahom ansa na wɔahyɛ adwuma ase.
Abakwasɛm ne Nea Ɛkyerɛ
New Year’s Day nni abakwasɛm bi a ɛfa Ghana man ankasa ho te sɛ Independence Day anaa Republic Day. Mmom, ɛyɛ afahyɛ a yɛanya afiri amanaman ntam kalenda a yɛfrɛ no Gregorian calendar no mu. Ghana de saa kalenda yi di dwuma wɔ ne nnwuma ne n’amammuo mu nyinaa nti, ɛda a ɛdi kan wɔ afe no mu no yɛ ɛda a ɛho hia ma obiara.
Wɔ Ghanafoɔ asetena mu no, Afe Foforo kyerɛ "Afe foforo, nsesaeɛ foforo." Nnipa pii de saa berɛ yi yɛ nea yɛfrɛ no "New Year Resolutions." Wɔhyehyɛ nneɛma a wɔpɛ sɛ wɔyɛ wɔ afe no mu, te sɛ sɛ wɔbɛsua adeɛ kɛse, wɔbɛhyɛ adwuma foforo ase, anaa wɔbɛma wɔn som mu ayɛ den. Ɛyɛ berɛ a yɛmu nneɛma a annyɛ yie wɔ afe a atwam no ho na yɛhwehwɛ kwan a yɛbɛfa so ayɛ no yie.
Sɛnea Ghanafoɔ di saa Da yi
Ghanafoɔ amanneɛ wɔ New Year’s Day ho yɛ fɛ yie na ɛkyerɛ yɛn nkabom ne yɛn ayamyeɛ.
Watchnight Services (Anadwo mpaebɔ)
Ansa na January 1 bɛba no, December 31 anadwo yɛ berɛ a ɛho hia kɛse. Ghana yɛ ɔman a nnipa pii yɛ anyamesomfoɔ, nti asɔre ahorow nyinaa yɛ mpaebɔ titiriw bi. Nnipa pii hyɛ ntadeɛ fitaa de kyerɛ nkunimdie ne ahotew. Sɛ dɔnhwerew dumien bɔ pɛ a, wobɛte sɛ asɔrefoɔ reteam "Afehyia Pa!" na wɔrebɔ mpaeɛ ama ɔman no ne wɔn mmusua.Abusua Nkabom ne Aduane
Sɛ January 1 pue a, nnipa pii kɔsra wɔn mmusua. Ɛda yi yɛ aduane die da. Aduane te sɛ Jollof rice, Fufu ne nkwan (titiriw abunuabunu anaa nkrakra), ne Kelewele (borɔdeɛ a yɛakye ne mako) yɛ nea nnipa pii di. Mmɔfra nya anigyeɛ efisɛ saa berɛ yi na wɔnya ntadeɛ foforo ne akyɛdeɛ afiri wɔn awofoɔ ne wɔn nnamfo hɔ.Anigyeɛ wɔ Mpoano ne Mmɔnten so
Wɔ nkuropɔn te sɛ Accra ne Kumasi mu no, nnipa pii kɔ mpoano (beaches) te sɛ Labadi Beach anaa Kokrobite. Wɔbɔ nnwom, wɔsaw, na wɔgye wɔn ani. Highlife ne Hiplife nnwom na ɛhyɛ mmɔnten so ma. Nkurow te sɛ Osu wɔ Accra mu no, anadwo anigyeɛ no kɔ so kosi anɔpa hemahema.Akuraa ase Ahomegyeɛ
Wɔ nkuraase no, afahyɛ no yɛ nea ɛmu nyɛ den te sɛ nkuropɔn mu deɛ no, nanso ɛhɔ nso abusua nkabom no yɛ kɛse. Nnipa a wɔte nkuropɔn mu no taa kɔ nkuraa ase kɔsra wɔn awofo na wɔde nneɛma kɔma wɔn. Ɛyɛ berɛ a wɔde siesie nsɛm a ɛda nnipa ntam na wɔde mfomsoɔ firi wɔn ho wɔn ho.Akwantufo ne Atubrafo: Afutuo ma New Year’s Day
Sɛ woyɛ ɔhɔhoɔ a waba Ghana saa berɛ yi a, nneɛma bi wɔ hɔ a ɛsɛ sɛ wunim na woanya anigyeɛ kɛse:
- Kar kwan so nsɛm: Accra ne Kumasi kwan so taa yɛ mma (traffic) kɛseɛ wɔ New Year’s Eve ne New Year’s Day mu. Sɛ wopɛ sɛ wokɔ baabi a, firi fie ntɛm.
- Beaeɛ a wobɛda: Sɛ wopɛ sɛ wokɔ "Beach party" anaa nnwom afahyɛ bi ase a, fa wo nsa si wo beaeɛ so ntɛm (book early) efisɛ nnipa pii firi amanaman ntam ba Ghana saa berɛ yi (titiriw "Beyond the Return" nti).
- Ntadeɛ: Ghana yɛ hye, nti hyɛ ntadeɛ a ɛbɛma woanya mframa (cotton clothes). Nanso, sɛ wokɔ asɔre a, hyɛ ntadeɛ a ɛfata na ɛdi mu.
- Sika ne ATM: Ɛtɔ mmerɛ bi a, sika tumi sa ATM afiri mu efisɛ nnipa pii reyi sika. Ɛyɛ pa sɛ wubenya sika kakra (cash) wɔ wo ho ansa na afahyɛ no adu ne mpɔmpɔeɛ mu.
- Aduane: Fa wo ho hyɛ Ghanafoɔ aduane mu. Kɔ Osu Night Market anaa Labadi kɔhwɛ sɛnea wɔkye nnam ne mmoa ahorow. Nanso, hwɛ na woanom nsuo a ɛyɛ (bottled water).
Afahyɛ yi yɛ "Public Holiday" anaa?
Aane, New Year’s Day yɛ "statutory public holiday" wɔ Ghana. Eyi kyerɛ sɛ:
Aban nnwumayɛbea: Wɔtom nyinaa. Sikakorabea (Banks): Wɔtom. Sukuu ahorow: Wɔtom (berɛ a mmɔfra pii wɔ Christmas break mu). Adwumayɛbea akɛseɛ: Wɔtom, gye nnwumayɛbea a ɛhia sɛ wɔyɛ adwuma dabiara (essential services) te sɛ ayaresabea, polisifoɔ, ne afiri kwan so nnwuma (airports).
- Makete ne Supermarkets: Makete akɛseɛ no bi tumi tom, nanso "supermarkets" ne nea wɔtɔn nnuane no bi bue anadwo anaa awia.
New Year’s Day wɔ Ghana nyɛ ɛda bi kɛkɛ; ɛyɛ berɛ a yɛde kyerɛ yɛn "Ghanaian hospitality" (ayamyeɛ). Sɛ wote "Afenhyia Pa!" a, gye so sɛ "Afe nko mmɛto yɛn!" Eyi kyerɛ sɛ afe no nkɔ na ɛmmɛto yɛn bio wɔ anigyeɛ mu. Ghanafoɔ anigyeɛ ne wɔn gyidi wɔ Nyame mu nti, New Year’s Day yɛ ɛda a anidasoɔ foforo hyerɛn wɔ obiara anim. Ma yɛnhyia afe 2026 no mu nkabom, asomdwoeɛ, ne nkɔsoɔ mu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Year's Day in Ghana
In 2026, New Year's Day in Ghana will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026. As of today, there are exactly 0 days remaining until the country welcomes the new year. This date marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across all sixteen regions of Ghana, from the coastal south to the northern savannah.
Yes, New Year's Day is a statutory public holiday in Ghana. According to the Public Holidays Act, most government offices, banks, schools, and many private businesses are closed. While essential services like hospitals and airports remain operational, public transport might run on a reduced schedule. If the holiday falls on a weekday like it does in 2026, the government occasionally grants an additional bank holiday, though the primary celebrations remain centered on the first day of January.
New Year's Day in Ghana is a secular holiday that signifies a fresh start and a new beginning. Unlike Independence Day, it does not commemorate a specific historical event in Ghana's history, but it holds immense cultural weight. It is a time for reflection, gratitude for surviving the previous year, and setting resolutions for the future. Given Ghana's diverse religious landscape, it serves as a unifying occasion that brings together Christians, Muslims, and followers of traditional religions in a shared celebration of life.
The celebration usually begins on the night of December 31st with 'Watchnight' services. A vast majority of Ghanaians attend church to pray and usher in the new year with hymns and testimonies. Once the clock strikes midnight, the atmosphere shifts to vibrant celebrations featuring fireworks and street parties. On January 1, 2026, the focus moves to family gatherings and relaxation. In urban centers like Accra, people flock to beaches and nightclubs, while in rural areas, the day is spent sharing meals and visiting elders.
Food is central to the New Year celebrations in Ghana. Families typically prepare elaborate feasts featuring national favorites such as Jollof rice, waakye, and fufu with light soup or palm nut soup. Spicy fried plantains, known as kelewele, are popular snacks during street festivities. Sharing food with neighbors and the less fortunate is a common tradition, reflecting the Ghanaian spirit of hospitality and communal living during this festive period.
Visitors should expect a very lively and crowded atmosphere, especially in cities like Accra and Kumasi. Popular spots such as Labadi Beach and the Osu Oxford Street night markets will be packed with revelers. It is advisable to book accommodations and event tickets well in advance. While the atmosphere is generally friendly, travelers should be aware of heavy traffic and long queues at ATMs. Carrying extra cash is recommended as some smaller vendors may not accept cards during the holiday rush.
Ghanaians are very religious and family-oriented, so visitors are encouraged to be respectful of church services and family gatherings. Dressing casually is acceptable for beach outings and street parties, but modest attire is expected if attending a church service. While alcohol is served at many parties, public drunkenness is generally frowned upon. It is also common to greet people with 'Afehyia Pa,' which means 'Happy New Year' in the Twi language, to which the response is 'Afe nko mmoto yen.'
During January 1, 2026, the weather in Ghana is typically warm and humid, especially in the southern coastal regions. Temperatures usually range between 25°C and 30°C. This period often coincides with the Harmattan season, which brings dry, dusty winds from the Sahara Desert, resulting in hazy skies and cooler nights in the north. Visitors should pack light clothing but also include a light jacket for the slightly cooler, breezy evenings.
Historical Dates
New Year's Day dates in Ghana from 2013 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | January 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | January 1, 2024 |
| 2023 | Sunday | January 1, 2023 |
| 2022 | Saturday | January 1, 2022 |
| 2021 | Friday | January 1, 2021 |
| 2020 | Wednesday | January 1, 2020 |
| 2019 | Tuesday | January 1, 2019 |
| 2018 | Monday | January 1, 2018 |
| 2017 | Sunday | January 1, 2017 |
| 2016 | Friday | January 1, 2016 |
| 2015 | Thursday | January 1, 2015 |
| 2014 | Wednesday | January 1, 2014 |
| 2013 | Tuesday | January 1, 2013 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.
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About Ghana
- Country Code
- GH
- Continent
- Africa
- Total Holidays
- 10