Thanksgiving Services For Successful Jubilee
MANY churches yesterday held special thanksgiving services in connection with the 50th anniversary celebration of the country’s independence.
The church halls were decorated with the national flags and bunting while many members of the congregations wore special anniversary cloths and shirts.
Preaching at the Calvary Methodist Church at Adabraka in Accra, the Very Reverend Thomas Forson, Superintendent Minister of the Accra North Circuit of the church, called on Ghanaians to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.
He said 'although we all have different gifts, views and opinions the interest of the nation should be paramount in all our endeavours'.
'Our diversified gifts, views and opinions should not divide us but rather bind us together so that we can all, as one people move the nation forward'.
Rev. Forson said Ghanaians have cause to celebrate and give thanks to the almighty God for his blessings.
'We must recognise the fact that we have come this far by the Grace of God and we must be always alert because satan always wants to sow a seed of hatred and division where the children of God are'.
Speaking to the Times after the service, Education, Science and Sports Minister, Papa Owusu Ankomah, paid tribute to founding fathers of the nation and urged the youth especially, to emulate their good works.
He said that the country had chalked successes in diverse spheres and it was important, that its good name be preserved at all times.
At the Glory Assemblies of God church at Sakumono, near Tema, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God in Ghana Rev. William Dontoh led the congregation in thanking God for a successful celebration. He used the occasion to commend the President, all the political parties, the International community and Ghanaians for participating massively in the Golden Jubilee celebration.
'By this, Ghanaians have proved to the world that we are of age and will always put Ghana first, he added.
He noted that, the spiritual significance of Ghana’s Golden Jubilee cannot be overemphasized, adding that, 'God in his unsearchable wisdom instituted this event and requested that we consecrate it'.
The Minister of Energy, Joseph Kofi Adda who was the guest of honour said 'The fifty years of independence represent a second opportunity as a nation and as a continent to make amends with the Good Lord so as to be able to use the abundant resources he has put at our disposal.'
He said, without prayers and the fear of God, Ghana would not have achieved so much in 50 years of Independence.
Mr. Adda said the next 50 years is for the youth to take the country to a glorious level of development.
He donated five million cedis to the church to organise activities for the youth in the church.
The Host Pastor, Rev. David Madjitey said, the Jubilee year is a time for forgiveness, peace, liberty and upliftment.
'He said, Ghana for the past years faced a lot of challenges but God did not allow the devil to win, adding 'no country in Africa has enjoyed the blessing and the peace of God that Ghana has.
Last week, a national interdenominational thanksgiving service was held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral ahead of Independence Day on March 6.
The service was on the theme 'The role of the church on Ghana’s evolution and development.'
Prayers were said to thank God for 50 years of nationhood, and for continued national unity as well as the deepening of democratic governance and development.