GES declares March 7 students holiday amid 6th March celebration

The Ghana Education Service (GES) following the celebration of this year’s Independence Day celebration on Thursday, March 6, 202,5 has declared Friday, March 7, 2025 holiday for all school students nationwide.

In a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com, the Ghana Education Service said the national holiday is to allow students who participated in the 68th Independence Day Anniversary celebration to take a break.

The statement signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of the Public Relations Unit, the GES further noted that the holiday was granted in recognition of the rigorous preparations and participation of students in the anniversary.

“This decision is to provide students with a well-deserved break after their rigorous preparations for the Independence Anniversary activities,” the Ghana Education Service (GES) statement stated

The Service under the auspices of the Ministry of Education further assured parents and guardians that normal academic activities would resume on Monday, March 10, 2025, urging them to take note of the announcement.

“Schools will resume fully on Monday, 10th March 2025. Parents and guardians are kindly requested to take note of this announcement,” the spokeswoman for the Ghana Education Service (GES) said in the press release.

While apologising for any inconvenience the holiday may cause, the GES expressed appreciation for the cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring the smooth observance of the Independence Day celebrations across the country.

In related news, President John Dramani Mahama addressing the country on 6th March 2025, said “Independence Day serves as an opportunity for us to remember our nation’s struggle for freedom and to honor the sacrifices of our forebears who led that struggle for self-rule.”

His Excellency continued “It reinforces our national identity, our unity, and patriotism while offering a moment for reflection on our progress and the challenges ahead.”

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Reflect, Review, Reset,” focusing on assessing Ghana’s current state and planning for a brighter future.

He defended the decision to scale down Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration, stating that it would have been “unconscionable” to spend GHS20 million amid the nation’s ongoing economic crisis.

“This is necessary considering the economic crisis our nation is currently experiencing. Large-scale celebrations often come with significant security and infrastructure costs, which strain the national budget.

“By reducing the scale of the commitment, we wish to demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and the efficient use of our limited resources,” John Dramani Mahama stated.

Mahama recalled that the state spent GHS15 million on last year’s celebration in Koforidua and GHS13.7 million the previous year in Ho, Volta Region.

Estimates for this year’s event at Independence Square suggested it would cost at least GHS20 million if held on the same scale.

“In a year when we are calling on all to sacrifice, including workers who have graciously accepted a base pay adjustment far below the rate of inflation, it is unconscionable to spend that kind of money on a few hours of celebration. Today’s event will save us 95% of the estimated cost of the event,” Mahama added.

This year’s event featured a Military Guard of Honour, cultural performances by schoolchildren, and a poetry recital by a senior high school student. Similar modest celebrations were held across the country.