President explains why he is reinstating July 1 as a statutory public holiday

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that July 1, Ghana’s Republic Day, will be reinstated as a statutory public holiday and officially designated as the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. 

Speaking at the 2025 Supernatural Empowerment Summit held at the Perez Chapel in Accra on May 4, President Mahama emphasised the spiritual and historical importance of the date, noting it marks Ghana’s full transition to a republic and symbolises the true birth of the nation.

“And as I’ve declared, on 1st July, which is our Republic Day—our Republic Day is actually Ghana’s birthday because in 1957, even though we became independent, we were a dominion of the British Empire,” he said. “It was on 1st July that we became a republic and cut ties with the British Empire. So on that day that the true Ghana was born, I’ve said we must give thanks to the Almighty God. And so we’re restoring the holiday to that day.”

President Mahama explained that a national task force had been set up to plan the commemorations, which will involve both Christian and Muslim communities in a unified day of prayer and reflection. “As the bishop said, on that day we will take a rest and we’ll thank and pray to God for giving us our country Ghana,” he stated.

Earlier declaration

The announcement was built on an earlier declaration made on April 26, when President Mahama inaugurated a national planning committee tasked with overseeing preparations for the celebration. During that address, he highlighted Ghana’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance as one of its greatest strengths.

“One of Ghana’s greatest blessings is the harmony with which we practice our diverse faiths,” he said. “Christians, Muslims and traditionalists—we worship differently but we work together as one people. This is a national treasure that we must never take for granted.”

Quoting Sura Al-Hujurat Chapter 49:13 from the Qur’an and Romans 12:18 from the Bible, he called for unity and peaceful coexistence. He described the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving as an opportunity to deepen the country’s spiritual consciousness and acknowledge divine guidance in Ghana’s journey.

The planning committee, chaired by Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has pledged to ensure that the event is inclusive and meaningful for all Ghanaians, regardless of faith, region, or background.

“We assure you, Mr President, and the good people of Ghana that we will discharge our duties with diligence and dedication,” Mr Ankrah said. “This event is about nurturing a spiritual culture of gratitude, fostering unity in diversity, and elevating our national consciousness to appreciate the hand of God in the affairs of our country.”

He added that extensive consultations would be held nationwide to ensure broad participation. “We will consult broadly, we will engage inclusively, we will bring everybody on board because the National Day of Thanksgiving belongs to all of us,” he said.

Mr Ankrah expressed hope that Ghana’s example would serve as an inspiration to other nations. “It is our hope and prayer that the work we do will not only make Ghana proud but will serve as inspiration to other nations—that the people who acknowledge God, give thanks to Him, and live in unity can achieve the impossible,” he concluded.