Barely days after floodwaters tore through Accra and other parts of the country, claiming lives and sweeping away homes and livelihoods, Ghana paused yesterday to give thanks, a national ceremony whose usual air of celebration was tempered by the raw memory of loss.
President John Dramani Mahama, addressing political religious, traditional and security leaders gathered at the forecourt of the State House for the country’s second National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, religious, traditional and security leaders gathered at the forecourt of the State House for the country’s second National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, acknowledged that the nation had not gathered because its problems were solved, but to reflect, give thanks, and recommit to rebuilding.
He directly referenced the floods that killed and displaced residents in parts of the capital, and urged Ghanaians to draw strength from scripture even in grief, quoting 1st Thessalonians 5:18’s “give thanks in all circumstances”.
“We gather not as members of different political parties, ethnic groups or religions, but as one people under God,” the President said.
This year’s observance was held on the theme: “Resetting Our Values to Build the Ghana We Want”.
A reset, not just a thanksgiving
President Mahama used the occasion to press a broader argument that the country’s recovery, economic and otherwise, depended less on government pronouncements, and more on the everyday choices of ordinary Ghanaians.
“Before we belong to political parties, we belong to Ghana. Before we identify with tribe or region or religion, we are citizens of one Republic,” he said, renewing his call for citizens to reject bitterness, intolerance, corruption and division in favour of dialogue, service, unity and hope.
He was candid about the limits of the country’s recent economic gains, conceding that many young people remained jobless, and that businesses were still struggling to access affordable credit, even as headline indicators improved.
“Our economic recovery has been built upon discipline,” he said, and added that “it must now be sustained by integrity. It must be protected by justice. And it must be strengthened by our national unity.”
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams gave a special prayer, together with Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah.
The ceremony also featured a sermon from Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost.
Among those present were Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the First Lady, Lordina Mahama; First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor; members of the Judiciary and Parliament, and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
Muslim service closes the day
The observance moved to the National Mosque for its Islamic leg, where President Mahama was joined by Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang and NDC Council of Elders Chairman, Mahama Iddrisu.
The service included a recitation of the Quran.
Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu delivered the National Chief Imam’s sermon, while the Chief Imam himself offered a prayer.
Speaking at the mosque, President Mahama struck a note of resilience.
“I believe the Almighty Allah has not dejected us.
I believe in the resilience of our people,” he said.
He called for integrity over corruption, and asked God to guide Ghana forward.
