Thousands of Ghanaians across the political and religious divides yesterday took part in a solemn service at the Independence Square in Accra to thank God for his blessings and seek his intervention for a peaceful general election in December.
The congregation, which included President J.A. Kufuor, his vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Begyina Sekyi Hughes and the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, expressed gratitude to God for his protection and goodwill to the nation so far, prayed for his continued gift of prosperity and blessings to the nation and made supplications for peace before, during and after the polls scheduled for December 7.
Other dignitaries who attended the service were Professor John Atta Mills, former Vice President and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Mr Dan Lartey of the Great Consolidated Peoples Party (GCPP), as well as Members of Parliament, Members of the Council of State, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and a large number of the clergy.
The NPP Flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo, was represented by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, his campaign manager.
The service, which climaxed a week-long of prayer and fasting, was on the theme “Seek the Peace and Progress of our Nation” and was organised by Christian churches in response to a request by President Kufuor to the Christian community to join him, the government and the nation in prayer to God.
The service was spiced with congregational songs, solo by Rev Mrs Amy Newman, as well as songs by the Winneba Youth Choir.
Prayers were said for peace, prosperity and stability of the nation.
The first, second and third scriptures, taken from 2 Chronicles 7:11-14, 1Tim 2:1-4 and John 14:23-27, were respectively read by the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Wood, Mr Abraham Osei-Aidoo, the Majority Leader and Mr E.T. Mensah, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram.
Addressing the service, President Kufuor asked Ghanaians to reject any acts of commission or omission of people which undermined the peace of the country before, during and after the December 7 election.
He appealed to Ghanaians to use dialogue and due process to settle all disputes instead of resorting to violence and conflicts.
He said conflicts and violence had always unleashed hardships on the people, noting that the lesson that had been learnt in Africa and elsewhere was that it was only when mayhem had ended that dialogue had been used to make peace.
President Kufuor underscored the need for Ghanaians to have confidence in themselves and use the relevant institutions to dialogue and make peace.
He asked Ghanaians to use the forthcoming elections to prove once again that they cherished peace and that not at any time would they comprise such a valuable resource.
He said the nation was on the threshold of achieving a breakthrough and ,therefore, it was important for the people to take right decisions.
The President said a study conducted by the World Bank in the wake of rising food and fuel prices established that Ghana was among four countries which appeared to have escaped the crunch.
“Let us be thankful to God for His blessing. Ghana is a beacon of democracy and the world is watching us,” he stated.
He asked the Christian community to continue to pray until the nation achieved success in its endeavours.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Christian Council, Rt Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong Manso, who delivered the sermon, said Ghanaians had every cause to thank God for His blessing in view of His intervention to resolve the energy crisis occasioned by the fall in the water level of the Akosombo Dam, as well as the discovery of oil and the peace being enjoyed in the country now, among others.
He asked the Christian community to conduct their services at the convenient time on the voting Day and ensure that they exercised their franchise.
He pleaded with social commentators and the media to be circumspect in their utterances and work to prevent any tension before and after the election.
He asked political leaders to ensure rapport among them and the Electoral Commission to ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of the election.
Dr Frimpong Manso further asked for God’s continued blessing for Ghana.
Story by Nehemia Owusu Achiaw
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