Friday, July 31, 2020 has been declared a statutory public holiday in observance of the Muslim festival Eid-Al-Adha in Ghana.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior advised the public to observe the safety protocols associated with the Coronavirus at social events.

"The general public is hereby reminded that Friday, July 31, 2020 which marks Eid-Al-Adha, is a statutory Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country," the statement said.

"The general public is advised to observe the safety protocols associated with the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), especially in relation to social events at public places".

About Eid-Al-Adha

Eid-Al-Adha, also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice", is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year (the other being Eid al-Fitr), and considered the holier of the two.

It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God's command. But, before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.

In commemoration of this intervention, an animal, usually a sheep, is sacrificed ritually and divided into three parts. One share is given to the poor and needy, another is kept for home, and the third is given to relatives.