By Iddi Yire
Accra, July 01, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, at the maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, led Ghanaians to express gratitude to God for the peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation.
Speaking at the Christian Service, which was held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, President Mahama said: “Today I stand before you with profound humility and gratitude in my heart and reverence in my spirit as we mark a sacred and historic moment, the first celebration of our National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.”
Quoting from the Bible, President Mahama said: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it”.
The President said: “We give thanks because we recognize a profound truth, that God has preserved our dear nation, Ghana.”
“Every peaceful sunrise, every child who is safely born, every harvest, every healing, every quiet moment of joy, and every act of kindness in our land, is not by our strength alone. These are the manifestations of God’s mercy and grace.”
President Mahama instituted the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to enable Ghanaians from all levels of society to come together to thank God for his goodness and mercies towards Ghana.
The President thanked God for protecting Ghana in times of crisis.
“Thank you for what you continue to do, rekindling our hope, restoring our strength. And thank you for what you will do, leading us into a future of peace, justice, and abundance,” he said.
“When we look across our beloved continent, Africa, and indeed at our world, what do we see? We see conflict. We see disaster. We see instability and rising despair. However, here in Ghana, we remain an oasis of peace, despite our challenges. That peace must not be taken for granted.”
He said the peace Ghanaians were enjoying was not simply the product of sound policy or political will; stating that “it is the result of prayer. It is the fruit of faithful believers, like you, who have interceded persistently for the soul of our nation on every occasion.
The President used the occasion to thank all pastors, reverend ministers, men and women of God, shepherds of the flock, intercessors, and worshippers, both known and unknown, who day after day bear up their nation before the throne of grace.
He reminded them that their labour was not in vain.
He said the nation Ghana was richly endowed with resources and natural beauty, and something even more precious, spiritual harmony and religious tolerance.
He said in a world where faith could divide nations, their faith in Ghana unites them.
Adding that in Ghana, churches and mosques do not compete for dominance; and that they coexist in mutual respect and in dignity.
“Our different traditions and our backgrounds have not weakened us.They have strengthened us in our shared identity. This is a precious gift we must protect,” he said.
“Let us remain vigilant against the voices of tribalism, against the voices of religious extremism, and against the poison of political hostility.”
President Mahama said these were the seeds of division that Ghanaians must never let take root in their precious nation, Ghana.
“We must speak a language of peace, compassion, and mutual respect. We must build bridges, not barriers, for we are one people sharing one land and pursuing one identity and destiny,” he said.
“But let us also remember this, that true thanksgiving is not spoken only with the lips. It must be lived in our very lives.”
President Mahama urged Ghanaians to hold him and all those in positions of authority to the highest standards of integrity and humility.
He lauded Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, the Chair of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving Planning Committee and other members for their tireless work and spiritual vision in planting a seed of national renewal that would be generations to come.
Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson in his homily urged Ghanaians to look to their history as a guide toward unity, justice, and sustainable development.
The event was attended by the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, Mrs Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament and Mr Bonnie Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting Chief Justice and other Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature, former First Lady Mrs Fulera Limann and former Second Lady, Mrs Arthur Matilda Amissah-Arthur.
Among high profile clergy who grace the occasion were Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International; Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, Funder and Presiding Archbishop of Perez Chapel International; Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Founder and Leader of the Lighthouse Chapel International; Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, and Reverend Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade