The writer
By Professor Jeffrey Haynes
Can praying fix Ghana’s economic and political problems? The NDC’s presidential candidate, Mr. John Mahama, recently announced that if he becomes president following the December elections, he will institute a national prayer day. His purpose is to bring together Christians and Muslims to express gratitude and seek divine guidance for the country. It will be recalled that the current president Nana Akufo-Addo announced in March 2017 soon after becoming president that he wished to see a national cathedral built to the glory of God. More than seven years later, there is no realistic chance that the national cathedral will be completed during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure. If elected president, his potential successor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has not pledged to complete the national cathedral. Dr Bawumia did meet with clergy in June 2024 to seek ways to work together to complete the national cathedral but so far, no concrete plans have been announced.
The NDC flagbearer may have stolen a march on his NPP rival. By announcing a national prayer day, Mr Mahama has shown his commitment to Ghanaians’ devoting a day each year to asking God to bless the nation and enable it to thrive. It may also be useful for Mr Mahama in terms of encouraging both Christians and Muslims to vote for him, as with his announcement he is showing that he believes that God’s assistance is necessary to deal with Ghana’s problems.
Both the USA and Zambia, countries which Mr Mahama mentioned in his announcement, have national prayer days. In the USA, the National Day of Prayer, which began in 1952 during the presidency of Harry S. Truman, is an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress. Held on the first Thursday of May, Americans are asked ‘to turn to God in prayer and meditation’. In Zambia, President Edgar Lungu established a national prayer day in 2015 to appeal to a higher power for help during difficult times. Over time, Zambia’s National Prayer Day became an annual observance with people making extra efforts to pray, repent, fast, and pay respect to the supremacy of a higher power. Some Zambians refer to this day as the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.
Does national prayer day work? That is, is there evidence that having a day devoted to ‘prayer and meditation’ or ‘appealing to a higher power for help during difficult times’ leads to national benefits? Given the USA’s stark political polarisation today, with some claiming there is a risk of civil war if former President Trump is thwarted again in his efforts to become president, it is difficult to see that a national prayer day has improved things.
Like Americans, Zambians are ambivalent about their country’s national prayer day. On the one hand, some Zambians contend that praying is a worthwhile exercise as it helps focus citizens’ efforts to work hard together to help overcome national problems, with God’s assistance. On the other hand, some civil society organisations have opposed the institution of national prayer day, citing government’s failure to take practical steps to address the corruption scandals and looting of Zambia’s national treasury. This may suggest that praying to God is all very well but if some of those in power are stealing big time from the country then having a day devoted to prayer doesn’t help to improve things. Finally, some Zambians ask why it is necessary to devote another day to a national holiday when what Zambia needs is more hard work, not less.
Like Zambians, Ghanaians are in two minds about a national prayer day. Like Zambians, concerns are about another national holiday when people will not go to work, at a time when Ghana’s economy is in a parlous state and what is required is more, and harder, work, not less.
Another concern is that a national prayer day would at best be a band aid: covering a wound but not healing it. Although both NDC and NPP flag bearers have pledged to root out corruption if elected president, many are sceptical that either man would put their money where their mouth is when in power. What are needed are actions not just pledges, promises and aspirations.
Countries with low levels of corruption – such as Denmark, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Sweden, the least corrupt nations in the world, ranking consistently high among international financial transparency – do not have national prayer days. What they do have are robust laws and effective institutions which make it both difficult and unwise for those with political power to engage in financial chicanery. Put another way: don’t steal, because if you do, you’ll be found out and punished – severely.
The idea of a national prayer appeals to some. It does not strike a chord with others. While no doubt made with the best of intentions, politicians’ desire to have the nation praying to God to improve things does not get to the heart of the problem. What is important is what is done by flesh and blood power holders. They must take responsibility for getting Ghana out of the mess it is in. God’s help is welcome – but on its own, it is not enough. More important still, Ghana must build robust laws and effective institutions to thwart the desires of those power holders who want to steal from the tax payer with impunity.
The writer is an Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK.
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