President Mahama warns against tribalism and extremism at national prayer service
President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Ghana’s peace and unity are at risk if the country allows tribalism, religious extremism, and political hostility to take root.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 1, during a Christian service at the forecourt of the State House to mark the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, the President urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant against forces that seek to divide the nation.
Mr Mahama said the country’s stability should not be taken for granted, especially at a time when several parts of Africa and the world are experiencing conflict and uncertainty.
He noted that Ghana’s peace is not the result of political leadership alone but also the outcome of sustained prayer and intercession by religious communities and individuals.
“Our faith in Ghana unites us,” he said. He noted that churches and mosques coexist peacefully, and that the nation’s cultural diversity has long served as a source of strength. “We must build bridges, not barriers, for we are one people sharing one land and pursuing one identity and destiny.”
He warned that any attempt to inflame tensions along ethnic or religious lines must be resisted to preserve the country’s social cohesion.
Mr Mahama also called for a renewed sense of accountability in public life. He said leadership must be grounded in justice, humility, and service to the people.
“Even the office of the President, which, by the grace of God, I now hold, is not above the law,” he said. “If we want a just Ghana, we must be just in leadership.”
He described the establishment of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving as a spiritual milestone, coinciding with Republic Day and serving as a moment for reflection, repentance, and rededication to the country’s future.
The event was attended by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament, the acting Chief Justice, members of the Council of State, traditional leaders, heads of Christian denominations, and members of the diplomatic community.
Mr Mahama acknowledged the role of faith-based organisations in shaping the country’s moral values and appealed for their continued support in guiding national discourse.
He ended his remarks with a prayer for peace, recovery, and unity across the country.
