Last Tuesday, clergymen from the various churches prayed for peace and security to prevail in the country, while choirs sang songs of praise during interludes and guests engaged in dance sessions with the music from the choirs, Alberto Mario Noretti reports from the Ho Jubilee Park.
The prayer session and dancing were held on July 1, a day reinstated as Ghana’s Republic Day holiday and also to be observed as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving every year.
Addressing participants in the maiden National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving event which was on the theme: “Reflect, Reset and Review for National Prosperity”, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, urged the people to avoid all divisive tendencies and embrace one another as children in one family.
“Our peace must never be taken for granted, and so, we must respect one another as Ghanaians,” he stated.
Mr Gunu gave an assurance that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council would not compromise its stance to promote equity and create equal opportunities for all.
The Director of Programme, Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Rev. Emmanuel Attu, said the country would be a happier place to live in if the citizens boldly embraced the truth and readily exposed evil in the society.
He said the theme was most relevant in its timing as the country’s resetting agenda would require sacrifice and integrity, in the total absence of corruption, to put the country on the path of progress.
Wa, Upper West
From Wa in the Upper West Region, Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor writes that the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, and the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, joined the Muslim community at the Wa Central Mosque to mark the inaugural National Prayer and Thanksgiving Day.
Charles Lwanga Puozuing (3rd from left), the Upper West Regional Minister, with Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo (4th from left), Member of Parliament for Wa Central, and other dignitaries at the Central Mosque
Also at the event were members of the regional security council, the Municipal Chief Executive of the Wa Municipality, Ahaji Nurah Danwanaah, and the Regional Coordinating Director, Pognaa Hajia Fati Koray.
Addressing the Muslim faithful on the theme, the regional minister explained that to reset was to go back to the founding values of honesty, hard work, tolerance and unity.
“It is a call to reject the toxic culture of impunity, ethnic division and blame games that have bedevilled our public discourse.
“To reset is now a retreat; it is a reawakening. We need to let go of our past grievances, re-evaluate priorities or recommit to some positive practices,” he appealed.
Renewal
Mr Puozuing said the date marked a new spiritual chapter in Ghana’s national life, “a solemn moment to reflect, reset and renew our national prosperity. It is not just a day on the calendar, it is a call to the conscience of a nation blessed beyond measure, yearning for healing, unity, peace and moral transformation”.
The Islamic clergy at the Wa Central Mosque
He called on all to soberly reflect on how far Ghana had come, especially “the triumphs we celebrate, the trials we endure and the troubling moral drift we must urgently arrest.”
He said the day should be used to reflect on the widening inequality gap, the growing sense of political mistrust, the rise in youth unemployment, drug abuse and moral decadence.
“We also need to reflect on our resilience, the way we pull together in crisis, our rich cultural and religious diversity and our collective yearning for a more just, honest and prosperous Ghana,” he said.
He called on all and sundry to renew themselves to the Ghana project and to commit themselves as public servants, Muslims or Christians, to build a country where peace was not seasonal and justice was not selective.
“Where public office is a sacred trust, not an avenue for personal gain, and where our political colours give way to the red, gold, green and the shining black star that unites us all,” he added.
COVID-19
Mr Puozuing also reminded the residents of the region of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in some parts of the country and the need to keep their surroundings clean as well as protect themselves from contracting the virus.
Some Muslim women worshipping at the Kumasi Central Mosque
He urged the residents to strictly adhere to the recommended safety protocols, urging all to “wear your face masks in public spaces, regularly wash or sanitise your hands, observe social distancing where appropriate and seek medical attention when unwell.
“Let our spiritual vigilance be matched by personal and communal responsibility, for even as we pray for healing, we must act wisely to safeguard the lives God has entrusted into our care,” he said.
Kumasi, Ashanti
Gilbert Mawuli Agbey and Emmanuel Baah also report from Kumasi that hundreds of Ghanaians, mostly in white and traditional attire converged on the Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC) at Ayigya to participate in the maiden regional National Prayer and Thanksgiving service.
Sheikh Zakariah Suleman (right), Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, leading the prayers held at the Kumasi Central Mosque. Those on the dais include Dr Frank Amoakohene (2nd from right), Ashanti Regional Minister; Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi (3rd from left), MCE for Kumasi, and DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe (2nd from left), Ashanti Regional Police Commander
Likewise, members of the Muslim community gathered at the Kumasi Central Mosque at Asawase, where they offered prayers for the nation.
Led by the Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Zakaria, they prayed fervently for the nation and wished Ghana well in the years ahead.
The entire CCC auditorium was filled to capacity with the congregants waving their miniature national flags as they prayed and gave thanks to the Almighty God for His grace and mercy bestowed upon the country over the years.
Members of the clergy took to lead the participants in prayer for the executive, judiciary and legislature for divine guidance, wisdom and discernment to reset priorities for national development and prosperity, among others.
Exhortation
In a word of exhortation, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Church, Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, asked Ghanaians to continue to practice truthfulness, integrity, transparency and hard work, among others.
James Gunu (3rd from right), Volta Regional Minister, leading an agbadza dance session during a musical interlude at the event
He said: “We can achieve a prosperous country if we accommodate and learn from opposing views in the nation’s political discourse” and denounce extreme partisanship, tribalism and discrimination in the society.
He entreated people in leadership positions and political actors, as well as the society and people in the religious space to be more concerned about the common good and not their individual selfish interests.
Restoring values
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, called on religious leaders to join efforts and the crusade towards restoring values in the lives of Ghanaians for national development.
He said: “It appears issues of ethics and morality are being eroded among leaders in the society”, urging “as a country, our leaders must be ethically and morally sensitive for the betterment of the nation”.
He extended President Mahama’s appreciation to the people and commended them for the prayers as it had continually helped in transforming the country since it gained independence, saying “all the country needs are peace and unity to reach a common goal.”
Sunyani, Bono
In Sunyani the Bono Regional version of the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving was marked at the Sunyani Jubilee Park, Biiya Mukusah Ali reports.
It brought together traditional leaders, churches, schools, security agencies and persons living with disability (PWDs).
The worshipers danced, sang in praise and worship to God and solicited his favour.
The congregation also prayed for the nation and the region, leaders and government officials, for peace and unity, for the marginalised and needy, the youth and families.
Muslims at the Sunyani Zongo held similar prayers at the Sunyani Central Mosque to thank God and seek his guidance and protection.
At the Jubilee Park, the Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, Right Reverend Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, urged Christians to turn away from their wickedness and encouraged the leadership of the country to be accountable to the citizens.
He also urged the clergy to refrain from false prophecies and abuse of people in the name of God.
Rt Rev. Dr Asuamah said the attitude of some pastors had allowed the public to disrespect pastors and advised Ghanaians to respect the leadership of the country, irrespective of the political parties they belonged to.
The Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, urged Ghanaians to adopt honesty, hard work, tolerance, accountability and peace.
He urged the public to reset their mindset towards nation building, productivity, unity and rekindle patriotism.