Ghanaians were ushered into the New Year with festivals of breakthroughs and crossovers that turned some of the nation’s sporting arenas into grand auditoriums for worship.
As the anointing spilled over from Friday through to Sunday, the running theme was the need for Ghanaians to remain united and ensure development in a year the political leadership has devoted to action.
In many areas, open parties were organised to mark the dawn of the New Year, while some regular pub attendants opted for watch-night services.
As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2010, church members and revelers welcomed 2011 with fireworks, shouts of joy and good wishes, amidst the hugging of one another in a show of love and solidarity.
At a mega church service organised at the Accra Sports Stadium to mark the crossover from 2010 to 2011, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr. Mensa Otabil, declared 2011 a year of righteousness for Christians, reports Naa Lailey Bentil.
“Those who seek God in righteousness shall never lack,” he said.
Dr. Otabil observed that striving to achieve one’s hopes and aspirations was legitimate, but “What God is saying is that we should make Him the Topmost priority this year” to pave the way for Him to pour out His blessings according to riches in glory.
“For this reason, it is important to leave our old ways and enter the New Year with righteousness. If this becomes the cry of our hearts, then God has something special for us,” he said.
Six colours red, white, gold, brown, purple and green have been selected by the church this year and, according to Pastor Agyare, they signify the very things that Christians need this year to overcome the world.
Announcing the pillars on which members of the church were expected to climb the ladder of righteousness at its watch-night service, the Leader of the Holy Family Temple of ICGC at Dansoman, Pastor Lord Parry Agyare, emphasized the need for spiritual upgrading in the church for a victorious year for Christians across the nation.
“Your work will give you money but God will give you life,” he stated, explaining that much as it was important to work for money, it was equally important to work for God.
Christians in the Tamale metropolis kept vigil to usher in the New Year, while other residents, particularly the youth, converged on the central business district of the metropolis to usher in the New Year with a musical show.