The Republic of Ghana will solemnly observe a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, an initiative led by the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, as a symbolic and substantive call to spiritual reflection, national gratitude, and renewed unity. The occasion, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of Ghana attaining republican status will be commemorated across all 16 regions and 261 districts, uniting the nation under one collective spiritual canopy.
The announcement was formally made during a high-level engagement between the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Day Planning Committee and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Committee to brief the Minister on preparatory progress and to reaffirm the national vision underpinning the initiative.
Speaking at the engagement, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the profound spiritual and civic significance of the observance. Drawing inspiration from scriptural principles and historical precedent, the Minister highlighted the transformative power of collective faith, the enduring relevance of divine providence in leadership, and the imperative for national unity in navigating times of change.
“When a nation pauses to acknowledge the hand of the Almighty in its journey, it opens itself up to restoration, wisdom, and purpose,” the Minister remarked. “This is not just a ceremonial gathering, it is a solemn spiritual reawakening and a shared reaffirmation of our covenant with destiny.”
Reiterating the Ministry’s full endorsement, the Minister called on Ghanaians from all walks of life across faiths, ethnic lines, and political persuasions to approach the day with reverence, sincerity, and a spirit of national solidarity. He urged religious and traditional leaders to play pivotal roles in mobilising citizens toward what he described as “a sacred encounter with the soul of the nation.”
Reflecting on Ghana’s recent political transition in December 2024, which was widely hailed as peaceful and exemplary, the Minister attributed the nation’s stability to divine favour and the resilience of Ghana’s democratic institutions. He noted that Ghana continues to be a shining light of peace and constitutional order within the West African sub-region, and called on citizens to remain vigilant, prayerful, and united.
Chairman of the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Day Planning Committee, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, expressed profound appreciation for the Minister’s support and reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to delivering a nationally inclusive, spiritually enriching, and administratively seamless observance.
Themed “Reflect, Reset and Renewal for National Prosperity,” this year’s event aims to inspire introspection on both individual and national levels, encouraging citizens to assess their personal and collective journeys, renew their dedication to Ghana’s development, and collectively pursue the path of peace, progress, and shared prosperity.
Hon. Ankrah emphasized that the Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving transcends religious affiliation or doctrinal boundaries. “This is a national moment of pause and purpose; open to every Ghanaian, regardless of religious or cultural heritage,” he stated. “Our aim is to foster a deeply spiritual atmosphere that transcends partisanship and consumerism, anchoring the nation in values that bind rather than divide.”
Planning activities are already underway across regional and district capitals, with religious bodies, traditional authorities, civil society groups, and political leaders all expected to lend their voices and presence to the day’s observances. The Committee and the Ministry have jointly cautioned against the politicisation or commercial exploitation of the event, insisting that it be preserved as a sacred national ritual of gratitude and hope.
As Ghana prepares to mark this milestone, the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving is poised to become a cornerstone of the national calendar, a symbolic reckoning with the past, a strengthening of the present, and a spiritual invocation for the nation’s future.
Source: Sandra Owusu Asamaoh
(Public Relations Unit MLGCRA)