Wiseman Castro Urges Africans to Balance Prayer with Productivity on Republic Day

By Joylinda Laryea / July 1st , 2025

As Ghana marks Republic Day with a national day of prayer and thanksgiving, social commentator and writer, Wiseman Castro, has sparked national conversation with a thought-provoking message calling on Africans to limit excessive prayer hours and channel more time into productivity.

In a reflective piece titled “Africans Should Limit Their Prayer Hours and Channel the Rest into Productivity”, Castro emphasized the need for a shift in mindset, particularly within religious circles, toward practical action and national development.

“Prayer is important,” he noted, “but prayer without works is dead. We cannot expect change by merely praying while ignoring our duties to ourselves, our communities, and our nation.”

He lauded  President H.E. John Dramani Mahama for initiating the national day of prayer but proposed that Ghana should also declare a “National Day of Productivity” where citizens, regardless of religion, engage in acts that directly contribute to the nation’s economy such as farming, innovation, or civic duties.

Castro also expressed concern about how religious practices imported from the West have overshadowed African traditions and values, often at the expense of development. He criticized what he described as the growing self-centeredness and greed among both the political and religious elite, urging churches and mosques to refocus on people-centered service rather than grand physical structures.

Highlighting that over 71% of Ghanaians identify as Christians and nearly 20% as Muslims, Castro questioned why widespread religious devotion has not translated into moral leadership or national progress. He attributed much of Africa’s challenges to leadership failures, compounded by religious hypocrisy.

“It’s time to build the true temple of God, human beings, instead of spending countless hours in buildings while the country remains hungry and underdeveloped,” he wrote.

His message has sparked debate on social media, with some praising his boldness and others criticizing the perceived attack on religious devotion.

Nonetheless, Wiseman Castro’s Republic Day call offers a sharp reminder that while spirituality is essential, it must be matched with responsibility, productivity, and practical engagement for real change to occur in Ghana and across the African continent.