"Include traditional authority in national day of thanksgiving and prayer committee" – Ga Mantse

The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for the inclusion of traditional authorities in the structure of the National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayers Committee, emphasizing that Ghana's spiritual foundation cannot be complete without the voice of indigenous spirituality.

He made the remarks when the leadership of the National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayers paid a courtesy call on him at the Ga Mantse Palace on Wednesday.

According to the Ga King, while Ghana recognizes the importance of Christianity and Islam in national life, there is a missing link that must be addressed: the spiritual contributions of traditional Ghanaian customs and ancestral rites.

“There’s something missing in the structure of this committee, and it is the voice of traditional Ghanaian spirituality,” he stated. “Our customs, rites, and ancestral observances are not just culture—they are covenant. And that input is essential.”

He further stressed that peace and stability in Ghana, particularly in the capital, are not only the result of visible religious practices, but also due to sacred traditional rites that are often carried out in silence and secrecy by custodians of the land.

“Why do we have peace in Accra? Why has Ghana not burned like others have? It is because of unseen sacrifices—spiritual transactions—done by the Ga Dzaasɛi, Wulomei, Asafoatsemei, and elders,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the fasting periods observed by Christians and Muslims ahead of their holy festivals, the Ga Mantse noted that similar spiritual preparations—such as the ban on drumming before Homowo—are also observed within Ga traditions as a form of fasting for the land.

“These are not fetish or witchcraft—they are sacred duties,” he said, urging Ghanaians and the committee to move beyond mere tolerance of tradition to fully embracing and honoring it.

He concluded by proposing that a traditional thanksgiving rite be held, even if on the eve of July 1st, to invoke the blessings of the ancestors and acknowledge the spiritual guardianship of the land.

“Let the traditional rite come first. Without this, any national thanksgiving is incomplete,” he declared.

The Ga Mantse’s remarks have reignited conversations around the role of traditional spirituality in national events and the need for inclusive representation across all faiths in shaping the country's moral and spiritual direction.

On his part, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Committee, Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, underscored the crucial role of traditional leaders in sustaining peace and stability in Ghana, describing their contribution as indispensable to the country’s spiritual and national wellbeing.

He made these remarks when he led a delegation to the Ga Mantse Palace on Wednesday to officially invite His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Ga Traditional Council to participate in the upcoming National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, slated for July 1, 2025.

Mr. Ankrah conveyed warm greetings from former President John Dramani Mahama, who initiated the declaration of July 1st—a date formerly known as Republic Day—as a national day of spiritual reflection and thanksgiving.

He noted that the decision to visit the Ga Mantse first was a sign of deep respect for traditional authority and its central place in Ghana’s spiritual and social framework.

"His Excellency believes that chiefs play a crucial and important role in the sustenance of peace in our country,” he said.

"As the main event is going to be held in Accra, it is important, in his view, that we come and seek your permission, your blessings, and your participation.”

According to Mr. Ankrah, Ghana's peace amidst growing conflict across the African continent and beyond is not accidental but the result of divine providence and the intercession of spiritual leaders—including traditional rulers, Christian pastors, and Muslim clerics—who continue to uphold the spiritual sanctity of the nation.

“Ghana has become an oasis of peace in a turbulent region. We do not take this for granted. We believe it is by the grace of God—and through the quiet, consistent work of our chiefs, imams, and pastors—that we continue to enjoy this peace,” he emphasized.

He explained that the theme for this year’s observance—“Reflect, Reset, and Renew for National Prosperity”—was chosen to guide Ghanaians to reflect on their identity and purpose, both individually and collectively.

“We didn’t choose to be Ghanaians. It was by divine arrangement that we were born here. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain independence. These are not coincidences. There is a reason, a purpose behind this,” Mr. Ankrah noted.

As a symbolic gesture, the delegation presented the Bible and the Quran to the Ga Mantse, acknowledging the importance of all religious scriptures in the act of national thanksgiving.

“We know you already read these scriptures, but this is symbolic—because in all holy books, we are instructed to give thanks. And as we thank God, He continues to bless us,” he added.

Mr. Ankrah invited the Ga Mantse and his council to join the main ceremony scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the forecourt of the State House, followed by Muslim prayers at 12:30 p.m. at the National Mosque.

He emphasized that the Ga Mantse’s presence would symbolize national unity and respect for traditional leadership, and that similar events would be held concurrently in all 16 regions and 261 districts across the country.

“July 1 is our Republic Day—our true national birthday. We now seek to elevate it into a spiritual milestone, adding deeper meaning so that what God has started in this country, He will bring to a glorious end,” Mr. Ankrah concluded.

He also expressed optimism about early signs of economic improvement, attributing them to divine intervention, and called on all Ghanaians—regardless of faith or background—to come together in thanksgiving and prayer for a prosperous and united Ghana.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith