Government must consider holidays for traditionalists – Dr Frank Ashiadey

Dr Frank Senanu Ashiadey, Founder of Temple of Destiny International and Restoration Centre, has called on the government to consider granting special public holidays to traditionalists as part of efforts to promote religious inclusivity in Ghana.

He said traditional believers deserve recognition and equal consideration in state-sponsored religious activities, particularly national prayer events and other official observances.

Dr Ashiadey argued that recognition of traditional religion should go beyond symbolic participation and include practical measures that allow traditionalists to observe important religious occasions.

“We cannot talk about religious inclusivity when traditional religion is left out of important national activities. If Christians and Muslims have holidays to observe their important religious occasions, why can’t traditionalists also have special holidays to observe ours?” he asked.

He said traditionalists should be given an opportunity to observe important occasions within their faith through designated holidays.

“Traditional religion is part of our history, culture and identity as Ghanaians. We should not pretend that it does not exist simply because Christianity and Islam are the dominant religions,” he said.

Call to avoid demonising traditional religions

Dr Ashiadey also urged government and other state institutions to avoid what he described as the demonisation of traditional and other religions in Ghana and beyond.

According to him, traditional religion should be treated with respect and understood as an important part of Ghana’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

“As traditionalists, we are saying to the government and Cabinet that they must avoid demonising the traditional religion and other religions in Ghana and beyond,” he said.

He said such attitudes could undermine efforts to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different faiths.

“We need to understand that Ghana belongs to all of us, and every religious tradition has a place in our society. We should promote understanding rather than portray other faiths negatively,” he added.

Inclusion in state prayer events

Dr Ashiadey made the call while advocating for the inclusion of all faiths in state prayer events.

He said Ghana’s religious diversity requires the state to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach in its recognition and engagement with the various religious traditions practised in the country.

“We have Christian leaders and Muslim leaders invited to state prayer events, and that is good. But where are the traditional religious leaders? They must also be given the opportunity to participate and represent their faith,” he said.

He questioned why traditionalists, who form an integral part of Ghana’s cultural and religious heritage, should not receive similar consideration when decisions are made on religious holidays and state-sponsored religious activities.

According to him, granting special holidays to traditionalists would help preserve Ghana’s indigenous religious practices while promoting greater respect for traditional beliefs.

“It is not about taking anything away from Christians or Muslims. It is about fairness and recognition. We are saying that traditionalists also deserve space within the national conversation,” Dr Ashiadey said.

He also called for traditional religious leaders to be given meaningful opportunities to participate in national prayer events alongside Christian and Muslim leaders.

“Whenever the nation comes together to pray, all faiths should be represented. The state belongs to all of us, and our religious diversity must be reflected in these national activities,” he said.

Dr Ashiadey said the inclusion of traditionalists in such activities would demonstrate the state’s recognition and respect for Ghana’s indigenous religious heritage.

He urged policymakers to develop a framework that ensures fairness and inclusivity in the organisation of state religious activities, including consideration for important traditional religious observances.

“We need a national framework that recognises the different faiths in Ghana and gives everyone a fair opportunity to practise and celebrate their beliefs,” he said.

He said such measures would promote national unity while preserving Ghana’s cultural identity and religious heritage.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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