At the Muslim version of Ghana’s historic National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, held at the National Mosque in Kanda, President John Dramani Mahama delivered a heartfelt message calling for spiritual renewal, national unity, and a recommitment to values that bind Ghanaians together across religious and political divides.
The event, attended by the National Chief Imaam, prominent Islamic clerics, scholars, Zongo chiefs, and the faithful, was held in an atmosphere of solemnity and reflection.
President Mahama began his address by paying glowing tribute to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, whom he described as “a father to our nation and a living embodiment of humility, wisdom, and peace.”
Recognizing the spiritual significance of the day, President Mahama emphasized that the occasion was not about partisan interests, but a national duty rooted in faith.
“Today is a day of profound national reflection. It is a non-partisan event. It is not a favor to any individual or government. It is a spiritual duty. It is a sacred opportunity for us as Ghanaians to turn our hearts to the Almighty to give thanks to Him and seek His continued blessings.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Quoting from Surah Ibrahim, verse 7, President Mahama reminded the congregation of Allah’s promise: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favour.”
In his view, Ghana’s relative peace and coexistence in a world plagued by war, economic hardship, and disunity is not the result of superior policies or human effort, but rather the mercy of Allah and the prayers of righteous men and women.
“On behalf of all the people of Ghana, I say: Allah, we are grateful to you. We are grateful for life. We are grateful for the peace you have given us in our country Ghana.
“We are grateful for the spirit of tolerance that allows Muslims, Christians, traditional believers, and people of no formal religion to live side by side in harmony.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Ghana’s Unique Interfaith Bond
Injecting a moment of humor and cultural insight into his address, the President recounted a popular social media post that illustrated the spirit of interfaith camaraderie.
“During every Eid celebration, our non-Muslim brothers and sisters… eagerly await their share of the Salah meat. Indeed, this year, I saw a post that read: ‘To whom Christmas jollof and chicken was given, Salah meat is expected.’”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
According to President Mahama, this light-hearted exchange reflects a deeper truth about the Ghanaian people — their capacity to celebrate each other’s blessings across religious lines. But the President also warned that this harmony should not be taken for granted.
“This peace, this fragile gift must never be taken for granted We must work even harder to defend our national harmony. In these times of rising intolerance, we must not allow politics to divide us.
“We must reject tribalism. We must reject extremism in all its forms. And we must resist those who profit from our disunity.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He continued by citing the Quranic verse that underscores the divine wisdom behind diversity: “We created you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
In President Mahama’s words, the diversity of ethnicity, language, and faith is not a weakness but a blessing from Allah.
Speaking directly to the values of Islamic leadership, he invoked a Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”
For him, this call to duty is not limited to public officials, noting that whether in public office or private life — as a president, a parent, a teacher, or a trader — all are accountable to Allah and to one another.
Commitment to an Inclusive Ghana
President Mahama used the occasion to reaffirm his political vision of a just and inclusive Ghana, stressing that leadership must be seen as a sacred trust and not a privilege for self-enrichment.
“Under my leadership, I remain committed to building a Ghana where no one is above the law, institutions function with integrity, justice is not reserved for only the powerful, and public resources benefit all of us and not a few people.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Reflecting on Ghana’s democratic gains over the last three decades, President Mahama emphasized that democracy must go beyond the ballot box, particularly with a keen focus on ethical governance, respect for human dignity, and service to the common good.
He also called for the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to evolve beyond ceremonial importance.
“It must become a cornerstone of our national conscience — a reminder that all our labors are in vain without Allah. Are we building or destroying? Are we healing or dividing? Are we lifting others or seeking only our personal gain?”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Asserting that the future of Ghana will not be shaped by slogans or speeches but by the values that its people live, the choices that they make, and the faith that they practice in their homes, businesses, and politics.
In a crescendo of moral clarity, President Mahama urged the nation to rededicate itself to nation-building “with honesty, humility, and hope.”
He advocated for a national effort to raise God-fearing, tolerant children, to dignify the labour of the youth through opportunity, and to restore integrity to public service, such that it becomes “a true service to Allah.”
In concluding his address, President Mahama expressed deep gratitude to the national prayer and thanksgiving planning committee, as well as to religious leaders from both Muslim and Christian communities. “May this noble observance advance our national vision to build a better, stronger, and more righteous Ghana,” he said.
Calling for divine guidance for the nation’s path forward, President Mahama ended his speech with an impassioned invocation and call to action and duty.
“May Allah bless our homeland Ghana. May He preserve our peace. May He deepen our unity. May He guide us towards enduring prosperity. May He reward every sincere heart that has prayed and fasted and worked for the good of this nation.
“Resetting Ghana begins with you, resetting Ghana begins with me, and resetting Ghana begins now.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
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