The Africa Development Council (ADC) has expressed disappointment over what it described as the exclusion of Traditional Faiths from the maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held on July 1, 2025.
In a press release issued on the eve of the event, the Council questioned the lack of representation of traditional religious groups in the official programme, stating that such omissions undermined the spirit of national unity and inclusivity the day is meant to promote.
“The Africa Development Council has observed with dismay the manner in which the maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving was likely to be observed without involvement of our Traditional Faiths,” the statement read.
The Council emphasised that while Christianity and Islam represented the majority faiths in Ghana, traditional religious beliefs were deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and spiritual fabric and often influence even the practices of adherents of the other religions.
“Ghana does not consist of only Christian and Muslim Faiths. Even though statistics might show that the majority of Ghana’s population is of the Christian Faith, in reality, Traditional Faith permeates through both Christian and Muslim Faiths across the country,” the ADC said.
Role
The ADC pointed to the significant role played by traditional leaders and institutions — including the National House of Chiefs and the Traditional Healers Association — in promoting peace, unity, and development at the community level.
It therefore urged that future observances of national spiritual events must make room for traditional authorities and their expressions of faith.
The Council also called on the President to ensure that subsequent events recognize and incorporate traditional prayers alongside Christian and Muslim observances.
It further encouraged traditional councils to assert their visibility and actively participate in national development efforts.
Background
Originally celebrated as Republic Day to mark the country’s transition to a republic on July 1, 1960, the day was removed as a public holiday in 2019. However, in 2025, it was reinstated with a renewed focus — not as a political commemoration, but as a spiritual one.
The government rebranded July 1 as the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, inviting citizens to seek divine guidance and express gratitude for the nation’s progress. The shift reflects a broader national desire for unity, moral renewal, and collective reflection amidst growing social and economic challenges facing the country.
