By Eric Appah Marfo, GNA
Accra, July 1, 2026, GNA– President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to reject corruption and embrace integrity, honesty, patriotism, and responsible citizenship, saying national transformation depends more on values than on government policies alone.
The President made the call at the National Christian Service of the 2026 National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving in Accra.
The event was held on the theme: “Resetting Our Values to Build the Ghana We Want.”
He said while governments could enact laws, formulate policies, and undertake development projects, they could not legislate integrity, compassion, patriotism, or honesty.
“Lasting national development begins with the choices citizens make every day.” President Mahama said.
He cited teachers who teach with integrity, health workers who serve with compassion, journalists who uphold the truth, parents who raise disciplined children, farmers who cultivate the land honestly, public servants who reject bribery, and citizens who place national interest above personal gain as the true builders of the Ghana the country desires.
“The Ghana we seek will not be built solely through big infrastructure projects or economic reforms. It will be built by the millions of ordinary Ghanaians who make the right choices every day,” he said.
The President noted that although Ghana’s recent economic recovery had attracted international recognition through disciplined economic management, prudent fiscal reforms, responsible leadership, and public sacrifice, many citizens still faced unemployment, limited access to affordable credit, and other economic challenges.
He said the gains must be consolidated through integrity, justice, discipline, and national unity.
“Economic transformation without moral transformation cannot endure. Prosperity without integrity is fragile. Development without discipline is unsustainable, and growth without justice leaves too many people behind,” he said.
President Mahama appealed to public servants to be professional and transparent, business leaders to invest and create jobs, and the youth to reject drugs and shortcuts while pursuing education, innovation, and integrity.
He reminded citizens that before political, ethnic, or religious affiliations, they first belonged to Ghana and shared one common destiny.
“Nation-building is not the responsibility of government alone. Every act of honesty strengthens our Republic. Every act of kindness strengthens our communities. Every act of integrity strengthens our democracy, and every act of service strengthens Ghana,” he said.
Clergy Call for Moral Reset
Delivering the sermon, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), said Ghana had the potential to become a great nation but needed a deliberate reset of values to achieve it.
He said no nation could attain meaningful development without shared moral values, and that the country’s greatest resource was the character of its people. Quoting Jeremiah 29, he urged citizens to support national development through prayer, repentance, and exemplary conduct.
Apostle Nyamekye said corruption, environmental degradation, and indiscipline were products of human behaviour, not weak laws alone. He called for renewed minds, stronger family values, investment in education and entrepreneurship, and the upholding of shared moral principles.
He urged churches to refocus their mission on raising righteous citizens, not only on programmes and demonstrations of spiritual power.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving was instituted by the President to provide an annual opportunity for Ghanaians to express gratitude to God, seek divine guidance for national development, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to peace, unity, and moral renewal.
The service attracted clergy from various Christian denominations, government appointees, Members of Parliament, leaders of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), traditional authorities, heads of state institutions, diplomats, civil society representatives, and other dignitaries.
It featured worship, scripture readings, and intercessory prayers for Ghana, the President and his family, the Vice President, Parliament, the Judiciary, security services, traditional leaders, and national peace, unity, and prosperity.
GNA
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong
