President John Dramani Mahama has welcomed Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson back to Ghana ahead of the country’s first National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Service scheduled for today Tuesday.
The Cardinal, who arrived in Accra on Monday, will deliver the sermon at the inaugural event, which President Mahama has designated as an annual observance on July 1.
During their meeting at the Presidency, Cardinal Turkson expressed gratitude for the invitation, telling President Mahama that “if the President of your country calls, you cannot say no.”
The Cardinal emphasized the importance of collaboration between religious institutions and government in advancing national development and strengthening democratic governance.
He called for both the church and government to provide mutual support and guidance in these efforts.
Cardinal Turkson also spoke about new opportunities for religious organizations to contribute to environmental sustainability.
He revealed that the Catholic Church has launched a pilot project in Nigeria focused on sustainability initiatives, with plans to expand the program to other regions globally.
President Mahama established July 1 as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, creating a platform for both Christian and Muslim communities to participate in national prayer services.
Tuesday’s Christian service marks the beginning of this annual tradition.
Cardinal Turkson, who previously served as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican, has maintained strong ties with Ghana despite his international responsibilities.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving is expected to become an annual fixture on Ghana’s calendar, providing a space for religious reflection on national progress and challenges while bringing together diverse faith communities in prayer for the country’s future.
