As Ghana prepares to commemorate its maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving on July 1, the Africa Development Council (ADC) has voiced serious concerns about the exclusion of traditional faiths from the national event.
In a statement issued today, the ADC highlighted the importance of inclusivity in building national unity and spiritual harmony. The council noted that while Christianity and Islam constitute the majority of Ghana’s religious population, traditional spiritual practices remain deeply woven into the fabric of the country’s diverse communities.
The ADC stressed that Ghana’s religious landscape is broader than statistics may suggest, and that traditional beliefs often coexist within Christian and Muslim households. The omission of indigenous spiritual traditions from such a significant national occasion, the council warned, risks marginalising important cultural institutions that have long contributed to national development.
The statement also recognised the roles played by the National House of Chiefs, the Traditional Healers Association, and other indigenous bodies, describing them as key pillars in the country’s social and political structure.
Calling for greater visibility and engagement from traditional leaders, the council urged them to actively participate in national discourse and development efforts. The ADC also appealed to media outlets and organisers of the July 1 event to ensure that traditional authorities are represented in the proceedings.
Most notably, the ADC has issued a direct appeal to the President of Ghana, urging that traditional prayers be officially included in the national event as a necessary step toward spiritual unity and inclusivity.
As the country gears up for this historic observance, the ADC’s statement stands as a timely reminder that Ghana’s strength lies in its diversity and that true progress requires the recognition of all cultural and spiritual voices.
