President John Dramani Mahama has noted that Ghana cannot achieve sustainable development and economic prosperity with prayer and faith alone, but also through hard work, discipline, and responsibility.

According to him, every citizen has a role to play in building a prosperous nation; therefore, urging all and sundry to take responsibility and actively contribute to the country’s development.

“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,” he added.

His comments were made at the 2026 National Day of Prayer held in Accra on Wednesday, July. National Day of Prayer is a new initiative under the Mahama-led administration that will bring Ghanaians together to pray, worship, unite, and reflect for the nation's prosperity.

Meanwhile, Ghana has today, Wednesday, July 1, marked sixty-six (66) years since attaining republican status. This year’s celebration, initially scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 had to be moved to Friday in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601).

As part of the amendment, statutory holidays that fall on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday will be commemorated on Monday or Friday.

Ghana first became a Republic under its first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, on Friday, July 1, 1960, three years after independence. Today, Ghana functions under the Fourth Republic established by the 1992 Constitution.

July 1 had been marked as a statutory public holiday until 2019, when former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assented to the Public Holidays (Amendment Act) 2019 (Act 986). Every July 1 was recognized as a day for remembrance under the Akufo-Addo government.

Part of a statement from the Interior Ministry, “The general public is hereby informed that Friday, 3rd July 2026, marks Republic Day, which is a statutory public holiday.

“However, in view of the fact that 1st July 2026 falls on a Wednesday, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has, by Executive Instrument (E.I.), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601), as amended, declared Friday, 3rd July 2026, as Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country”.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) had repeatedly called for a repeal of the law, which changed the status of July 1 and September 21 to a commemorative one instead of a statutory one.

In 2024, President John Dramani Mahama expressed regret over his predecessor, former President Akufo-Addo’s decision to abolish Republic Day as a public holiday, and pledged to reinstate it.

He wrote on Facebook, “It is most regrettable that the current government has scrapped commemorating this important day as a public holiday. However, as we reflect on the significance of Republic Day, let us use this as a rallying call to rekindle the spirit of dedication and commitment that our forebears demonstrated. We must continue building a better, renewed Ghana, where opportunities are created for everyone to thrive".

During his Thank You tour in the Western Region on February 5, President Mahama revealed not only does he plan to declare July 1 a statutory holiday but also a day Ghanaians will gather and pray.

Keeping to his promise, the government led by President Mahama ensured that July 1 was reinstated as a statutory public holiday after Parliament on Wednesday, June 25, passed the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which amends Act 601.

Reacting to the recent development, the CPP noted that the events of 1st July 1960, when Ghana transitioned from a parliamentary system with a Governor-General to a republic with Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah as its first president, "is indeed worthy as a day of rest, celebration, and sober reflection."

"Today, exactly a fortnight after the 76th anniversary of the formation of the Convention People's Party at Saltpond by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the Party has been given another reason to celebrate, as a result of the reinstatement of 1st July as Republic Day and 21st September as Founder's Day."

The Convention People's Party therefore expressed "its sincere thanks to the President of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress Government, and the Parliamentarians of the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana for this enactment.

"While presenting the motion for the adoption of the committee’s report, Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, explained that the government had reviewed the number of public holidays in line with its earlier commitments to reform and streamline the holiday calendar.

He emphasized that Republic Day holds great significance in Ghana’s history, which is why the government is reinstating it as a full public holiday.

According to him, Ghana would continue to observe key holidays such as New Year’s Day on January 1, Constitution Day on January 7, Independence Day on March 6, Good Friday and Easter Monday in March or April for Christians, Labour Day on May 1, and Republic Day on July 1.

The bill was introduced to Parliament by Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka in his capacity as Interior Minister last week and was passed under a certificate of urgency after its first reading.