Greed threatens Ghana’s future, Cardinal Turkson warns at Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson has urged Ghanaians to embrace a renewed sense of responsibility and solidarity, warning that unchecked greed and selfish gain threaten the nation’s shared resources and the well-being of future generations.

Preaching at Ghana’s first National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in Accra on Tuesday, July 1, Cardinal Turkson said the day must go beyond words and become a turning point for moral courage and spiritual renewal.

“We gather for this sacred occasion not only to give thanks to God but under the theme of reflection, reset and renewal for national prosperity,” he said.

“These are not just words, they are a call to moral clarity, national courage and spiritual awakening for fashioning a Ghana of opportunities for the inclusive well-being of all its children.”

Drawing from scripture, the Cardinal likened Ghana’s moment to the prophet Jeremiah’s call for the Israelites to “stand at a crossroads” and return to ancient, righteous paths. He reminded Ghanaians that true prosperity goes beyond wealth and must include access to food, water, shelter, healthcare, education and peace for every citizen.

Highlighting the consequences of environmental exploitation, he used the example of the “tragedy of the commons” — where shared resources are destroyed when people put individual gain above the collective good.

“In the Rift Valley, there’s a community that keeps common grazing land for all. But if someone brings too many cows or sheep, the land fails to serve everyone. That is the ‘tragedy of the commons’,” he explained.

“Here in Ghana, our land is rich and endowed. It must serve all, not be destroyed by greed.”

He warned that Ghana is already suffering the consequences of such greed.

“The Pra River no longer yields prawns and shrimps; children who swim in our rivers are exposed to cyanide and mercury. Our church hospitals see rising cases of birth deformities. These are the consequences of irresponsible exploitation,” he lamented.

Cardinal Turkson stressed that transforming the nation is not the task of the President alone, but of every Ghanaian.

“Whatever vision of Ghana we express, we must also know our place in that vision. We need virtuous Ghanaians who live for more than personal gain,” he said.

Reflecting on Ghana’s past, from its independence symbols like the Coat of Arms to Kwame Nkrumah’s bold technological vision, the Cardinal said the nation must draw lessons from its history to build a future that serves the common good.

“To reflect is to see our blessings and our blind spots. To reset is to turn away from what destroys us; corruption, division, and exploitation. And to renew is to build a Ghana where every child can flourish,” he said.

Quoting from the Book of Jeremiah, he urged citizens to stand at the “crossroads”, look back at paths that once led to progress and unity, and reclaim those values with courage.

Closing his message, Cardinal Turkson called for a deep sense of fraternity among Ghanaians, and constant prayer for the nation, its leaders and its people.

“Virtuous living is what we all need in this land to make everything work. You don’t need to be a priest or pastor; every Ghanaian must live responsibly and think of the common good,” he said.

“Let us reflect, reset and renew; so Ghana can be a land of prosperous living for the well-being of all.”