Accra: Returning to his homeland, Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, played a pivotal role in Ghana’s inaugural National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, held at the State House forecourt in Accra. As principal celebrant and guest of honour, Cardinal Turkson used the platform to call for a deep spiritual and moral revival across the nation.
In his address, Cardinal Turkson emphasized that the occasion must go beyond symbolic tradition. “This is not just a ceremonial act,” he said. “It must serve as a collective and personal moment to pause, reflect, and reset a turning point for the soul of the nation.”
He likened the day to a spiritual reset button, urging Ghanaians to re-examine their values, confront the nation’s moral failings, and renew their commitment to the common good. “To reflect is to acknowledge both the blessings we’ve received and the blind spots we’ve ignored. To reset is to renounce the forces of corruption, division, and apathy. To renew is to recommit to justice, unity, and prosperity for all,” he declared.
Drawing on the words of the prophet Jeremiah, Cardinal Turkson warned that Ghana is on a dangerous path. “From the least to the greatest, everyone is greedy for unjust gain,” he quoted, warning of a society where wounds are superficially treated while cries for peace mask deep unrest.
He pointed to concrete signs of the nation’s decline polluted waterways, toxic mining practices, environmental degradation, and growing inequality. “The Densu River no longer supports aquatic life, the Offin has become a stretch of thick mud, and children upstream now live with the threat of cyanide and mercury poisoning,” he lamented, calling it a national wound that must not be ignored.
Cardinal Turkson issued a clarion call for ethical leadership and virtuous citizenship, saying Ghana’s future depends on individuals shaped by moral integrity and civic virtue. “We need leaders and citizens formed by virtue without that, greed will continue to infect every corner of our society. And the burden will fall on us all,” he said.
He also underscored the inseparability of faith and public life. “Our belief in God shapes our worldview and must guide how we live, lead, and serve,” he said, urging Christians not to compartmentalize their spirituality from their civic duties.
The solemn event was attended by a wide array of dignitaries, including President John Mahama, members of government, church leaders, and civil society groups. President Mahama, in his remarks, reminded fellow Ghanaians of the sacred responsibility held by those in public office and emphasized the moral obligation of leadership grounded in service.
Cardinal Turkson’s presence and message served as both a blessing and a wake-up call. His impassioned speech resonated with many in attendance, marking the day not merely as a national gathering for prayer, but as a profound spiritual summons to rediscover Ghana’s moral and religious foundations.
“We must rebuild the soul of Ghana,” Cardinal Turkson concluded, “not with slogans or speeches, but through virtue, faith, and the courage to do what is right even when it is difficult.”