While the nation paused to offer prayers and thanksgiving on July 1, one of Ghana’s respected political scientists, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, raised strong concerns about the sincerity and purpose of such an observance.
Appearing on JoyNews’ AM Show, the University of Ghana Senior Lecturer made it clear that without discipline, truth, and national commitment, the National Day of Prayer is nothing more than a hollow ritual.
The beauty of the ceremony, he said, is not enough. “Yesterday I saw the programme, a beautiful programme. But let us be honest: we go and pray, and the same people turn around and embezzle. They engage in corruption. We give cathedrals to men of God, and they leave us with a hole. What is the meaning of the prayer, then?”
Dr. Asah-Asante stressed that Ghana’s major issues are not spiritual but moral and institutional. He challenged religious leaders to take a stand and boldly tell political leaders the truth, instead of remaining silent or glorifying those in power. “If men of God cannot look our Heads of State in the eye and tell them, ‘You are going wrong,’ then we have a serious problem,” he said. “Too often, they merely watch and seek to glorify those in power. No more!”
He argued that public prayer, while important, becomes meaningless if it is not backed by concrete national values. “Prayer without patriotism, without accountability, without integrity, without all the things I have mentioned, is empty,” he said. “Gratitude without dedication to work, without hard work, without discipline, without people who are truly results-driven, that kind of thanks is meaningless.”
His comments were not only directed at the clergy and political leaders. Dr. Asah-Asante also took a swipe at Ghana’s public holiday system, which he believes reflects a lack of seriousness. “We cannot engage in national prayer when we have so many holidays. Fourteen holidays! Can you imagine?”
Drawing comparisons with other nations, he noted, “Let us look at the United States—11 holidays. The UK—8. Canada—9. Germany—9. France—11. And the Netherlands? Just 2. One of those holidays is celebrated every five years. Switzerland—4. What are we doing to ourselves here?”
In his view, some holidays such as Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Constitutional Day should be scrapped entirely. “I’m not saying we don’t need holidays, but there are too many. Nkrumah’s birthday? Once you mention Nkrumah, Independence Day already covers that. Nkrumah is in there.”
Throughout the interview, Dr. Asah-Asante reiterated that national gratitude should be reflected in how the country is run, not in stage-managed events. “There’s nothing wrong with remembering our Maker. But let’s not deceive ourselves. Thanks without holding leaders accountable, without standing firm against corruption, is a waste of everyone’s time.”
He called for urgent reforms and urged citizens to take their role in national development seriously. Real patriotism, he said, is shown not just through prayer but through action. “Let us always remember to think of our country and defend it,” he concluded.
