President John Dramani Mahama has said that while prayer and faith remain important pillars of national life, they must be complemented by hard work, discipline and responsibility to transform Ghana.
Mahama made the remarks during the 2026 National Day of Prayer held in Accra on Wednesday, July 1.
He called on Ghanaians to embrace a strong work ethic and actively contribute to national development.
President Mahama cited biblical teachings highlighting that genuine faith must be accompanied by practical efforts to bring about meaningful change.
“Our national journey reminds us of an enduring truth, ‘faith without works is dead,’ says James 2:26. And prayer without responsibility cannot transform an economy. Hope without discipline cannot create prosperity.
“Throughout history, God’s people have always combined faith with hard work. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, the people prayed but they also laboured. When Joseph prepared Egypt for the years of famine, they also planned wisely.”
President Mahama also urged Ghanaians to consciously reject bitterness, intolerance and all forms of divisive behaviour.
He called on citizens to prioritise unity, dialogue and collective hope as the country advances its national reset agenda.
Mahama argued that national progress cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of hostility, mistrust or division.
“Our constitution binds us together, our history unites us, and our future depends upon our ability to work together; therefore, let us reject bitterness, intolerance and division.
“Let us reject corruption and cynicism. Instead, let us embrace dialogue over hostility, service over self-interest, unity over division and hope over despair. No nation has ever achieved greatness by allowing its differences to define its future.”
Also, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, has told Ghanaians to stop always placing blame on politicians.
According to Apostle Eric Nyamekye, citizens must also accept responsibility for the country’s governance and development.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, however, acknowledged that leadership plays a crucial role in national development, but highlighted that the character of the people ultimately shapes the success or failure of their leaders.
He further urged Ghanaians to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the nation wherever they find themselves, adding that national transformation requires the collective efforts of all citizens.
The Church of Pentecost Chairman noted that Ghana’s progress cannot be left in the hands of a few political leaders.
Delivering the sermon at the 2026 National Day of Prayer in Accra on Wednesday, July 1, Apostle Nyamekye stated, “We are making a mistake by always blaming politicians. How many are they? What about the millions of us? Our forebears did not think the way we are thinking in our generation.
How many politicians and government appointees do we have in a population of 35, 34 million plus? How can these few people determine our destiny? Seventy-one per cent of us claim to be Christians. If we are not part of the corruption, how could we have felt it?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Apostle Nyamekye added that Ghana’s development agenda should reflect the country’s future beyond successive governments.
He stressed that national policies must outlive political administrations.
Apostle Nyamekye urged Politicians to abandon superstition, politically driven prophecies and short-term governance, calling on Ghana to adopt long-term planning as the foundation for sustainable development.
“You see, when we don’t move away from superstition and the calendar, we will never settle down. When it is about elections, prophets rise, and the one who is able to give the most accurate prophecy, depending on which side of the political divide they lean, sometimes gets honourably rewarded. And who doesn’t want that honour? But let’s move this nation away from the calendar and superstition,” he urged.
President John Mahama immersed in prayer during the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving at the State House.#GHNow pic.twitter.com/BpE0kDEjY9
— GHnow (@ghnow_) July 1, 2026
