By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Jan 07, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has expressed gratitude to God on the first anniversary of his inauguration on January 7, as the sixth President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.
Speaking at a non-interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the Forecourt of the Presidency, the President also thanked Ghanaians for giving him the mandate to govern the nation.
The event was attended by the First Lady Lordina Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
Also in attendance were Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Christian and Muslim clerics, political parties representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the security forces and students from first and second cycle institutions.
“Today we gather not as members of different faiths or political traditions but as one people united in gratitude, humility, and reflection,” to give thanks for life, peace, and for the opportunity to serve, the President said.
President Mahama recounted that exactly a year ago the Ghanaians entrusted to him a sacred responsibility to lead the nation through a difficult period, to restore hope, stabilise the economy, and to reset the direction of its national development.
“Today is not a celebration of power. It is a moment of thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve the people of Ghana. Today is not a declaration of triumph. It is a reaffirmation of purpose,” he said.
President Mahama noted that although leadership was a privilege, it was also a huge load they were asked to carry.
The President said over the past year they had come face to face with the weight of that load, citing economic hardship, social anxiety, global uncertainties, and the legitimate expectation of the people.
“And yet through it all God has stood by us. Our democracy has remained strong, our institutions have held their own, and our people have shown resilience, patience, and faith in the future of our beloved nation,” he said.
He gave his gratitude and praises to the Almighty God for his protection, peace, and the safety of the nation and also thanked all the men and women who wake up every day to keep the country moving.
The President further acknowledged all farmers, traders, workers, teachers, health professionals, security personnel, artisans, entrepreneurs, and public servants for their invaluable contributions towards ensuring a sustained national development.
“We’re grateful to our traditional leaders and the clergy, our religious leaders, who continue to offer counsel, guidance, and moral leadership.”
President Mahama extended his gratitude to Ghana’s international partners, the diplomatic corps, for working hard to promote bilateral friendship and international cooperation.
He expressed gratitude to Parliament and the Judiciary for their constitutional roles in strengthening governance and accountability.
“Above all we are grateful to the people of Ghana for your trust, constructive criticisms when necessary, encouragement, and enduring belief that our nation Ghana can and must do better,” he said.
President Mahama extended his special thanks to his Vice President, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, a woman of dignity and quiet strength, the first woman to rise to this position of responsibility.
The President also thanked his wife, First Lady Lordina for her unwavering support, encouragement and motivation over the years.
He reiterated that thanksgiving must also be accompanied by re-commitment.
President Mahama said his government re-commit itself to ensuring ethical leadership, service above themselves, as well as governance anchored in integrity, competence, and compassion.
“We re-commit ourselves to listening, especially to the voices of our vulnerable, youth, and those who feel excluded,” and to ensure national unity, knowing that Ghana’s strength had always come from the ability of its citizens, to rise above division and work together for their common good, President Mahama said.
Reverend Stephen Wengam, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, who delivered the Christian sermon at the event, called on Ghanaians to express gratitude to God for the national transformation over the past year.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo