President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to express their thankfulness to God through personal and public accountability, warning that the country’s peace should not be taken for granted.

He made the remarks during the Muslim Service of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra.

Addressing a gathering of Muslim clerics, government officials, Zongo leaders and members of the wider Islamic community, the President said the day was not a political event but a spiritual opportunity for reflection and renewal.

He urged Ghanaians to look beyond partisan and ethnic divisions, stating that true thankfulness must be reflected in one’s conduct.

“Leadership is not a privilege to be enjoyed but a sacred trust to be fulfilled,” he said, quoting the Hadith: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”

He added that whether in public office or private life, every citizen has a duty to help build a just and honest society.

Mr Mahama warned that Ghana’s peace, particularly its religious harmony, should never be seen as permanent or automatic.

He said such unity is not sustained by politics or government policy alone but by divine mercy and the daily choices of citizens to live peacefully with one another.

“Our strength as a nation lies in our ability to embrace our differences and transform them into a collective purpose for national prosperity,” he said, referencing Surah Al-Hujurat, which speaks to the value of diversity among peoples and nations.

The President called for a national reset of values, urging Ghanaians to promote justice, honour public trust, and protect the vulnerable.

He said the National Day of Prayer should not become a formality, but a moment that sparks change.

Tuesday’s service formed part of the first-ever National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, observed across all 16 regions. It followed a similar Christian service held earlier the same day.

Mr Mahama encouraged parents to raise their children to be honest and God-fearing, and called for renewed dignity in leadership, with better support for the country’s youth.

“Resetting Ghana begins with you. Resetting Ghana begins with me. And resetting Ghana begins now,” he said.