Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has thrown his weight behind a recent suggestion by President John Dramani Mahama to designate July 1st as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, saying the initiative has the potential to foster unity and national reflection.
Speaking on Friday, May 30, Kufuor expressed strong support for the proposal, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and national cohesion in Ghana’s democratic journey.
“If President Mahama thought it right, then I agree with him,” Kufuor said. “We look forward to July 1st, and we will celebrate it as a day to thank the Almighty who made Ghana what it is.”
The proposal, which is gaining traction across the political spectrum, seeks to repurpose July 1st—a date historically recognized as Republic Day—into a non-political national observance focused on faith, reflection, and thanksgiving for Ghana’s peace and development.
Political and religious leaders from various backgrounds have welcomed the idea, with many praising its unifying potential. Christian and Muslim clerics have voiced optimism that a national day devoted to prayer could help bridge divides, foster peace, and renew citizens’ sense of shared purpose.
Public response has also been largely positive, particularly on social media platforms, where users have called the move “long overdue” and urged swift steps toward its institutionalization.
“It’s refreshing to see leaders from both sides of the aisle endorsing a day that places Ghana first, above party lines,” one social media user posted.
July 1st was once marked as Republic Day, commemorating Ghana’s transition to a republic in 1960. However, in recent years, it lost its status as a statutory public holiday. Mahama’s proposal aims to breathe new life into the date—not merely as a political milestone but as a moment for collective spiritual introspection and appreciation.