The Economic Fighters League (EFL) has strongly condemned a proposal by President John Dramani Mahama to rebrand Ghana’s Republic Day, observed on July 1st, as a National Prayer Day.
In a statement released today, the activist group described the move as “deeply disheartening and unacceptable,” arguing that it undermines the significance of Ghana’s hard-won independence.
Republic Day, which marks Ghana’s transition to a full republic in 1960 under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, represents the nation’s break from British colonial rule and the establishment of self-governance. The EFL argues that replacing this historic observance with a religious holiday would erase a crucial part of Ghana’s struggle for independence and African unity.
“The proposal to rebrand Republic Day as a prayer day is yet another attempt to diminish our collective memory and disconnect Ghanaians from their revolutionary past,” the statement reads.
The EFL also criticized what it sees as a long-standing attempt to erase Nkrumah’s legacy since his government was overthrown in 1966. According to the group, Ghana should focus on pressing economic and social challenges—such as inflation, unemployment, and economic instability—rather than symbolic gestures like renaming Republic Day.
“We urge him to focus on addressing the urgent economic crises facing our nation,” the group stated, emphasizing that Ghana needs concrete policies to improve the lives of its citizens rather than what it calls “misplaced priorities.”
Calling on President Mahama to abandon the initiative, the EFL reaffirmed its commitment to defending the historical significance of Republic Day. “This is not a day for prayer—it is a day to celebrate our sovereignty and recommit to the Pan-African fight for a better Africa and a better Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The Economic Fighters League is a known advocate for economic democracy and social justice in Ghana, and their opposition to this proposal is expected to spark further national debate on the future of Republic Day.