A growing wave of skepticism has emerged around Ghana’s observance of its National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, with political analyst and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, offering a piercing critique of the initiative.
Dr. Asah-Asante argued that the national prayer event, though symbolically important, risks becoming a meaningless performance unless it is accompanied by patriotism, moral courage, and active public accountability.
Highlighting widespread issues of governance, corruption, and institutional failure, Dr. Asah-Asante urged both politicians and religious leaders to reevaluate the true intent behind such events.
He maintained that expressing gratitude without genuine commitment to national development amounts to a hollow gesture.
“Gratitude without patriotism is hollow or empty. Thanks without dedication to work, without hard work, without discipline, without people who are truly results-driven… is meaningless.”
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
The senior lecturer emphasized that religious expressions of thanks cannot be isolated from civic duty. While acknowledging the spiritual significance of prayer, he contended that prayer alone is not the solution to the country’s pressing challenges.
Ghana’s problems, he explained, are not spiritual at their root but rather institutional and moral in nature. The failure to uphold accountability and discipline, he believes, remains at the core of national stagnation.
Dr. Asah-Asante pointed out that although the program on July 1 appeared well-organized and visually impressive, the disconnect between presentation and reality was stark.
In his words, “we go and pray for ourselves… and the same people come and embezzle. They engage in corruption.”
He condemned the hypocrisy of public figures who participate in religious ceremonies while being complicit in corrupt practices.
Call for Moral Courage, Reform Amid National Day of Prayer Debate
Dr. Asah-Asante further called on religious leaders in particular to take a stand, urging them to speak truth to power rather than glorify it. He stated that religious leaders must serve as moral compasses for the nation.
He argued that when those in positions of spiritual authority refuse to challenge the status quo, the very fabric of Ghanaian democracy is threatened.
He stressed, “Men of God must stand firm and speak truth boldly, that is what sets them apart.”
Another key issue raised during his remarks was the productivity implications of Ghana’s public holiday calendar.
Dr. Asah-Asante criticized the excessive number of holidays observed in the country, suggesting that it was inconsistent with the goals of national development.
He pointed to international benchmarks to make his case, noting that Ghana’s 14 public holidays far exceed those in several advanced economies.
“Let us look at the United States—11 holidays, the UK—8 holidays, Canada—9, Germany—9, France—11, and interestingly, the Netherlands has only 2. One of those holidays is celebrated every 5 years. Switzerland—4. What are we doing to ourselves here?”
Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
He proposed eliminating holidays such as Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and even Constitutional Day, deeming them redundant.
Even Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday, he argued, could be streamlined under Independence Day observances. His comparison highlighted the pressing need for discipline and a shift toward productivity-driven governance.
For Dr. Asah-Asante, national prayer must never serve as a cover for inaction or a substitute for reform.
He believes true thanksgiving can only emerge from a citizenry and leadership grounded in integrity and results. “Prayer is good,” he acknowledged, “but prayer without patriotism, without accountability, without integrity… is empty.”
In his view, Ghanaians should remember that civic responsibility and moral courage are foundational pillars of any meaningful expression of national gratitude.
As long as political leaders avoid scrutiny and religious figures shy away from criticism, the annual observance of national prayer will remain a ceremonial display rather than a transformative force.
With growing public frustration about inefficiency and political posturing, Dr. Asah-Asante’s critique has added fuel to an ongoing conversation about Ghana’s path forward.
His comments serve as a call to action for both citizens and leaders to embrace the kind of sincere reflection and discipline that can truly uplift the nation.
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