National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving not a response to floods — Elvis Afriyie Ankrah

The Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has clarified that the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving is a permanent annual national observance and should not be interpreted as a response to the recent floods that affected parts of the country.

Addressing public commentary and misinformation circulating on social media, Hon. Afriyie Ankrah explained that the event was established to bring Ghanaians together each year to thank God for His blessings while seeking His guidance for peace, unity and national development.

"The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving is not a 48-hour response to the floods. It is an annual national observance. This year's programme, which is the second edition, had been planned long before the unfortunate flooding occurred. The coincidence in timing should not be interpreted as government insensitivity," he stated.

He acknowledged that the floods had cast a sombre mood across the country but stressed that they had not altered the purpose of the observance, which remains focused on thanksgiving, reflection and prayer for the nation.

Hon. Afriyie Ankrah dismissed claims that the Government had been indifferent to the plight of flood victims, insisting that the administration responded swiftly through both expressions of sympathy and practical interventions.

"The Government has shown compassion and responsibility towards those affected by the floods. His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama not only expressed his condolences to bereaved families but also directed the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to release funds to support relief efforts and provide assistance to displaced persons. This clearly demonstrates that the Government's response has gone beyond words to practical intervention."

He said the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving complements rather than replaces the Government's humanitarian response.

"As a nation, we have a responsibility to respond physically by providing relief and support to affected communities, while also responding spiritually by praying for healing, comfort, protection and strength. These two responsibilities go hand in hand."

The Presidential Envoy revealed that special prayers were offered during the national observance for bereaved families, injured victims, displaced persons, emergency responders and all communities affected by the floods.

According to him, praying for people facing hardship is fully aligned with the purpose of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving and reflects Ghana's enduring values of faith, compassion and solidarity.

"This national observance reminds us that gratitude should not only be expressed in moments of abundance but also in times of adversity. Even as we mourn with those who have suffered losses, we continue to place our trust in God while working collectively to rebuild lives and communities."

Hon. Afriyie Ankrah also outlined the broader vision behind the initiative, describing it as a national platform that unites Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths in a shared commitment to national unity and progress.

He said the observance extends beyond prayer and serves as an avenue for promoting national values and responsible citizenship.

"No nation has ever successfully transformed from an underdeveloped country into a developed one without deliberate, consistent and intentional efforts by its leaders to instil values such as discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in its citizens. Countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, China and South Korea did not achieve their progress by economic policies alone; they deliberately cultivated national values that shaped the character of their people."

He noted that churches and mosques remain among the country's most influential institutions and play an essential role in promoting the values needed for national transformation.

"The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to harness these platforms to inspire positive behavioural change. That is why every speaker, from His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to the National Chief Imam and other religious leaders, dedicated significant attention to addressing the pressing issues confronting our nation, including integrity, patriotism, discipline, peaceful coexistence, responsible citizenship and national unity. These are the values that build great nations."

Hon. Afriyie Ankrah maintained that Ghana's progress would depend not only on sound economic policies and infrastructure but also on the character and values of its people.

"The vision behind this initiative is to strengthen Ghana's moral and spiritual foundations. National development is driven not only by economic progress but also by unity, integrity, compassion, honesty and our shared dependence on God. Building a prosperous Ghana requires building responsible citizens."

He urged Ghanaians to disregard misinformation portraying the observance as an insensitive response to the floods.

"The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving should be understood for what it truly is, an annual national event dedicated to seeking God's guidance and expressing gratitude for His continued blessings upon our nation. At the same time, Government remains fully committed to supporting flood victims and ensuring that affected communities receive the assistance they need."

Hon. Afriyie Ankrah expressed appreciation to religious leaders, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens who participated in the Second National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, describing the event as another important step towards strengthening national cohesion and promoting gratitude, peace, discipline and hope.

He concluded by calling on Ghanaians to remain united, reject misinformation, uphold the values that strengthen nations and continue supporting one another as the country recovers from the recent floods and works towards building a more resilient, compassionate and prosperous Ghana.

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