Bring back July 1 as statutory holiday - Professor Osafo to government

Professor Joseph Osafo has called on the government to reinstate the celebration of July 1 as a statutory public holiday.

Ghana became a Republic on July 1, 1960, and the day was celebrated each year until the inception of the Akufo-Addo administration, which made it commemorative.

Instead, the government seemingly replaced it with August 4, which is a statutory holiday to celebrate the founders of Ghana.

Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Prof. Osafo appealed for the restoration of July 1, stressing that it is a significant day for Ghana, but removing its statutory status has broken a "certain sense of nationalism."

He further argued that celebrating Republic Day "sends a message. It arranges your psyche differently. If it's commemorative, you don't get any authority backing it."