Ghana • February 18, 2026 • Wednesday
Also known as: Ramadan Start
Ramadan yɛ berɛ koraa a ɛyɛ kronkron na ɛho hia paa ma Nkramofoɔ nyinaa wɔ wiase baabiara, titiriw wɔ Ghana ha. Ɛyɛ abosome nkron soɔ wɔ Nkramofoɔ kalenda (Islamic lunar calendar) mu. Sɛ yɛka Ramadan a, ɛnyɛ aduane a yɛnkye (fasting) nko ara ne asɛm no; ɛyɛ berɛ a yɛde hwehwɛ yɛn ho mu, yɛbɛn Onyankopɔn (Allah), na yɛda ayamhyehyeɛ adi kyerɛ yɛn mfɛfoɔ nnipa. Wɔ Ghana, Ramadan yɛ berɛ a ɛma biakoyɛ ba mpɔtam hɔ, ɛmfa ho sɛ woyɛ Nkramoni anaa Kristoni, ɛfiri sɛ yɛn amammuo mu no, yɛkyɛ nnuane na yɛbɔ mu tena ase wɔ asomdwoeɛ mu.
Saa bosome yi yɛ berɛ a Nkramofoɔ kae berɛ a Onyankopɔn de Kuran (Quran) no firi soro brɛɛ Odiyifoɔ Muhammad (S.A.W). Ɛnam yei nti, Ramadan yɛ mmerɛ a ɛhyɛ "Sawm" (akɔmkyene) den, a ɛyɛ Nkramofuo gyidie nnyinasoɔ num no mu baako. Firi anɔpa hɛmee kɔsi sɛ awia bɛtɔ no, obiara a wadi mfeɛ na n'ahoɔden ma no kwan no ntumi nnidi, nnunnom nsuo, nnunnom tawa, na ɔntumi ne ne hokafoɔ nna. Ɛyɛ berɛ a obiara bɔ mmɔden sɛ ɔbɛtwe ne ho afiri bɔne ho, na ɔde ne nsa bɛkyɛ adɔeɛ ama ahiafoɔ.
Wɔ Ghana ha, Nkramofoɔ dodoɔ yɛ bɛyɛ ɔha biara mu nkyekyɛmu aduonu (20%). Yɛhunu wɔn paa wɔ atifi fam (Northern Region) ne nkuropɔn akɛseɛ te sɛ Accra ne Kumasi mu. Sɛ Ramadan fiti ase a, wobɛhunu sɛ asetena sesa koraa. Anɔpa kɔnɔkɔnɔ no, wobɛte sɛ nnipa retutu mmirika reyɛ "Suhoor" (anɔpa aduane ansa na owia apue). Awia no, kuro no mu yɛ komm kakra, na anwummere nso a, "Iftar" (aduane a yɛde piri akɔm no) berɛ no, nkuro no mu yɛ dɛ yie. Saa kwan yi so na Ghanafoɔ fa da wɔn gyidie ne wɔn amammerɛ adi.
Ramadan mfitiaeɛ gyina ɔsrane a yɛhunu so. Wɔ Ghana ha, Ghana Muslim Mission ne Chief Imam ɔfese na wɔhunu ɔsrane no na wɔbɔ amanneɛ kyerɛ ɔmanmufoɔ nyinaa. Sɛnea akontaabu kyerɛ no, Ramadan afe 2026 bɛfiti ase saa mmerɛ yi:
Ɛda: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Nna a aka: Aka nnansa 46 na yɛafiti aseɛ. Berɛ: Akɔmkyene no fiti ase pɛɛ wɔ February 18, 2026 anɔpa hɛmee, nanso anwummere a ɛdi kan (Wednesday anwummere) na Nkramofoɔ bɛhyɛ aseɛ abɔ mpaeɛ titiriw no (Taraweeh).
Ɛho hia sɛ yɛka sɛ saa ɛda yi nyɛ ɛda a ɛsi pi te sɛ December 25. Ɛyɛ "variable date" ɛfiri sɛ Nkramofoɔ kalenda no di ɔsrane akyi. Sɛ ɔsrane no amue anwummere a ɛdi kan no a, ɛkyerɛ sɛ akɔmkyene no bɛfiti ase anɔpa no. Ghanafoɔ mpanimfoɔ hwɛ ɔsrane no yie wɔ Atifi fam ne nkuropɔn mu ansa na wɔapaem aka sɛ Ramadan afiti ase. Ramadan yi bɛkyɛ bɛyɛ nna 29 anaa 30, na ɛbɛba awieeɛ wɔ March 18, 2026 hɔ baabi, berɛ a yɛbɛdi Eid al-Fitr afahyɛ no.
Ramadan firi tete mmerɛ mu. Sɛnea Nkramofoɔ gyidie kyerɛ no, afe 610 A.D. mu na Odiyifoɔ Muhammad nyaa nyankyerɛ a ɛdi kan firi Onyankopɔn hɔ wɔ Hira abodan mu. Saa nyankyerɛ yi na ɛbɛyɛɛ Kuran Kronkron no. Onyankopɔn hyɛɛ Nkramofoɔ sɛ bosome a yei siiɛ no, wɔmfa nyɛ akɔmkyene bosome mfa nkae saa asɛm kɛseɛ yi.
Wɔ Ghana, Nkramofuo gyidie kɔɔ anim paa ɛnam adwadifoɔ a wɔfiri Atifi fam (North Africa ne Sahel region) a wɔne Ghanafoɔ dii dwa mfeɛ pii a atwam no. Ɛnam saa adwadie yi so na Islam kɔɔ baabi te sɛ Salaga, Tamale, ne nkuropɔn a ɛwɔ Atifi fam. Ɛnnɛ, Ramadan abɛyɛ Ghana amammerɛ fa kɛseɛ. Ɛnyɛ amanyɔsɛm anaa abusua asɛm, na mmom ɛyɛ berɛ a yɛde hyɛ yɛn honhom mu den.
Akɔmkyene no hia paa ɛfiri sɛ:
Ghana yɛ ɔman a yɛmmu yɛn ani ngu yɛn amammerɛ ne yɛn gyidie so. Ramadan berɛ mu no, wobɛhunu nneɛma pii a ɛyɛ fɛ:
Ghana Ramadan wɔ n'ahosuo titiriw bi a ɛyɛ fɛ:
Zongo Amammerɛ: Mpɔtam a yɛfrɛ no Zongo (baabi a Nkramofoɔ dɔɔso) no, Ramadan yɛ anigyeɛ berɛ. Anadwo mu no, nkuropɔn no mu yɛ dɛ, nkanea hyɛrɛn, na aduane nketewa tɔn hyɛ mmaa nyinaa. Akan ne Nkramofoɔ nkitahodie: Wɔ baabi te sɛ Kumasi, wobɛhunu sɛ Asantehene ne Nkramofoɔ mpanimfoɔ bɔ mu di afahyɛ no bi. Ɛyɛ Ghana biakoyɛ ho sɛnkyerɛnne kɛseɛ. Laylat al-Qadr (Anadwo a Ɛyɛ Kɛseɛ): Wɔ July 16, 2026 hɔ baabi (bosome no nna du a ɛdi akyire no mu baako), Nkramofoɔ Ghanafoɔ pii tena ase anadwo mu nyinaa bɔ mpaeɛ. Wɔgye die sɛ saa anadwo yi, mpaebɔ biara Onyankopɔn tie na ɔkyɛ bɔne.
Sɛ woyɛ ɔhɔhoɔ wɔ Ghana afe 2026 Ramadan mmerɛ mu a, yei ne akwankyerɛ a ɛbɛboa wo:
Sɛ yɛreka Ramadan wɔ Ghana a, yɛntumi mpa aduane ho asɛm. Ghanafoɔ mmaa bɔ mmɔden paa yɛ nnuane a ɛyɛ dɛ:
Hausa Koko & Koose: Yei na yɛde fiti aseɛ. Koko no yɛ "millet" a yɛde nketia ne nnamon (spices) ayɛ, na Koose no yɛ "beans" (atua) a yɛatwi de nkyene ne mako ato mu akye. Waakye: Ɛyɛ ɛmo ne atua a yɛanoa abom. Yɛde mako, shito, nkesua, ne nam na ɛdi. Tuo Zaafi (TZ): Ɛyɛ Atifi fam aduane a yɛde mmɔre ayɛ na yɛde "Ayoyo" nkwan di. Ɛyɛ mmerɛ na ɛyɛ dɛ. Fruit Salad: Esiane sɛ owia bɔ kɛseɛ nti, nnuaba te sɛ borɔferɛ, ananaa, ne nkuruma hia paa de hyɛ ahoɔden mu.
Sɛ Ramadan bosome no ba awieeɛ a, yɛdi afahyɛ kɛseɛ a yɛfrɛ no Eid al-Fitr. Wɔ afe 2026 mu no, ɛbɛba baabi March 18 anaa March 19. Saa da yi, Ghana aban ma yɛn kwan (Public Holiday). Nkramofoɔ nyinaa kɔ baabi pɛɛ (Independence Square wɔ Accra anaa "Park" kɛseɛ bi) kɔbɔ mpaeɛ. Wɔhyɛ ntadeɛ foforɔ, wɔkyɛ aduane, na mmarima hyɛ ntadeɛ tenten (Jalabia) na mmaa nso hyɛ ntadeɛ a ɛyɛ fɛ (Abaya).
Asɛm a ɛhia sɛ yɛhunu ne sɛ, Ramadan mfitiaeɛ (the start) nyɛ ɔman mu akwamu (public holiday) wɔ Ghana.
Adwumayɛbea: Adwumayɛbea nyinaa bue. Sikasem ne adwadie kɔ so sɛnea ɛkɔ so daa. Sukuu: Sukuu mma kɔ so, nanso sukuu pii ma Nkramofuo sukuuyɛfoɔ kwan ma wɔyɛ wɔn mpaeɛ.
Ramadan afe 2026 bɛyɛ berɛ a ɛyɛ kronkron
Common questions about Ramadan Start in Ghana
In Ghana, the first day of fasting for Ramadan is expected to fall on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This means there are approximately 46 days remaining until the holy month begins. The observance actually starts the evening before, on Tuesday, February 17, when the moon is sighted, marking the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is important to follow local announcements from the Ghana Muslim Mission or the National Chief Imam, as the exact start date depends on the physical sighting of the new crescent moon in Ghanaian territory.
No, the start of Ramadan is not a national public holiday in Ghana. Government offices, banks, and most businesses across the country maintain their normal operating hours. However, Ghana is a religiously tolerant nation with a significant Muslim population, particularly in the northern regions and urban zongo communities. While businesses remain open, some Muslim-owned shops may adjust their opening or closing times to accommodate prayers and the breaking of the fast (Iftar). The public holiday associated with this period occurs at the end of the month for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as Sawm. It commemorates the month in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims in Ghana, it is a period of intense spiritual growth, self-discipline, and sacrifice. By abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations from dawn until sunset, believers aim to purify the soul and strengthen their Taqwa (God-consciousness). It is also a time for deep empathy toward the less fortunate, encouraging increased acts of charity (Zakat) and communal harmony within the Ghanaian society.
The daily routine begins with 'Suhoor,' a pre-dawn meal taken before the first call to prayer. In Ghana, this often includes nutritious local foods like hausa koko or waakye to provide energy for the day. Throughout the daylight hours, Muslims engage in regular work while maintaining their fast. At sunset, the fast is broken with 'Iftar,' traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by communal meals. Many Ghanaians gather at mosques for 'Taraweeh' nightly prayers. The atmosphere in neighborhoods like Nima in Accra or areas in Tamale becomes very vibrant at night with food vendors and community gatherings.
Ghanaian Ramadan traditions feature a rich variety of local cuisine. Common dishes for Iftar include Jollof rice, waakye (rice and beans), and various soups with meat or fish. Sweets and fruits are also popular for a quick energy boost. In many communities, especially among the Hausa and Dagomba people, communal Iftars are hosted where large platters of food are shared among family and neighbors. Charity drives often distribute food packages to the poor, ensuring that everyone in the community has a meal to break their fast, reflecting the hospitable nature of Ghanaian culture.
Laylat al-Qadr, or the 'Night of Power,' is considered the holiest night of the year, as it marks the night the Quran was sent down to the lowest heaven. It is believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights during the final ten days of Ramadan. For 2026, it is expected around March 16. In Ghana, Muslims spend this entire night in mosques or at home praying, reciting the Quran, and seeking blessings, as deeds performed on this night are said to be better than those performed over a thousand months.
Visitors to Ghana during Ramadan should be mindful and respectful of those fasting. While you are not expected to fast, it is polite to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking prominently in public view, especially in heavily Muslim areas like Tamale or specific suburbs in Accra and Kumasi. Modest dress is always appreciated, particularly when near mosques. Non-Muslims are often invited to join Iftar meals; accepting such an invitation is a great way to experience Ghanaian hospitality and culture. It is a time of peace and reflection, so maintaining a respectful demeanor is key.
Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days and concludes with the sighting of the new moon for the month of Shawwal, leading into Eid al-Fitr, which is expected around March 18, 2026. In Ghana, Eid al-Fitr is a major national public holiday. The day begins with 'Salat al-Eid' (special congregational prayers) held in large open spaces or 'Eid-Gahs.' Afterward, Ghanaians celebrate with massive feasts, wearing new traditional clothes, exchanging gifts, and visiting friends and family. It is a joyous occasion that brings together people of all faiths in the spirit of national unity.
Ramadan Start dates in Ghana from 2023 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday | March 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Tuesday | March 12, 2024 |
| 2023 | Thursday | March 23, 2023 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.