By James Esuon
Agona Swedru (C/R), July 02, GNA – The Agona West Assembly in collaboration with the Clergy, Chiefs and Civil Society Organisations, have marked the maiden National Day of Prayer and thanksgiving service with a call to citizens to change any negative attitude that thwarted economic and social development.
The religious service was announced by President John Dramani Mahama in his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered to the 9th Parliament of Ghana in Accra in March 2025.
Addressing the congregation at the Agona Swedru branch of the Gospel Ambassadors Church, Mr Eric Gyamfi Odoom, the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) said the day of national prayer, was instituted to seek the face of God to assist Ghanaians in resetting and renewing the country.
The MCE said if Ghanaians took a moment to reflect on 1957 till now, they would notice that the country had chalked significant strides in democracy and peace building consensus.
However, the country was still grappling with issues of illicit drugs, unemployment, galamsey (illegal mining) and many others, which militated against its transformation, he said.
The MCE said the realignment of Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was evidence of President Mahama’s commitment to bring all stakeholders to brainstorm, to speed up economic growth.
Mr Gyamfi Odoom therefore reiterated the call on the chiefs, as custodians of the land to team up with religious leaders to tackle the canker of drug abuse and other social vices that threatened their future.
Nana Kweku Esieni V, the Regent of Agona Swedru who chaired the function, commended President Mahama for the initiative and urged all Ghanaians, especially traditional rulers to uphold integrity and hard work.
He said the Swedruman Council of Chiefs had taken the initiative to improve quality education, sanitation and clamp down of illicit trade to enable our youth to grow to become responsible adults.
Reverend Stephen Kofi Anarfi, the Chairman of the Swedru Council of Churches in a sermon, urged Ghanaians to reflect on the prevailing situation in the country and eschew sabotage, pull him down and corruption and change for the betterment of the country.
He praised the President of the Republic for the institution of the Day of National Prayer and urged the government to make it a permanent feature for the prosperity to honour God collectively as a country.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/ Christabel Addo