Mills Thanks God

Prez Mills and wife, acknowledging cheers PRESIDENT JOHN Evans Atta Mills has called on Ghanaians to forgive one another and chart a common path for national unity and development.

He made this remark at a national thanksgiving service held at the Independence Square in Accra yesterday, the theme for which was “Uniting Ghana Through Christ”.

The occasion was to thank God for granting the nation a peaceful and successful election.

He stated also that Ghanaians should be united by their common destiny and the fear of God.

“Any society that does not have God as a foundation is bound to collapse,” he said, adding that the success of any nation should be supported by God.

President Mills reminded Ghanaians of the importance of the fact that Ghanaians are children of God and for that matter united by a common Father.

He as well urged Ghanaians to turn to God, especially to his holy book which had the principles of honesty, transparency, hard work and love for one another.

The celebration attracted hundreds of Ghanaians across the political divide and from various religious denominations, with most of the guests clad in white apparel.

There were song ministrations led by 'No Tribe'.
Preaching the sermon, Rev. Eastwood Anaba of the Fountain Gate Ministry noted that the world had witnessed several revolutions but the revolution of Jesus Christ was made up of love and peace.

He said the love for one another should spur Ghanaians on as they seek to develop the nation.

Rev. Anaba indicated that the period of identifying people by their political, ethnic and religious backgrounds should be a thing of the past.

He described the President as one chosen by God to bring the poor, the deprived, those in the low social strata and those in high places together to ensure harmony.

Rev. Anaba, however, expressed unhappiness about the level of division in the country, blaming the phenomenon on parents who had sowed seeds of discord in their homes.

In a welcome address earlier, Rev. Steve Mensah, Chairman of the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches said Ghanaians had every cause to celebrate the day with thanksgiving because of the uncertainty that characterised the December 28, 2008 run-off and the last election held at Tain.

The fear of Ghanaians that the election could lead to chaos necessitated prayers from Christians, Moslems and other religious groups for God to intervene to spare the nation any mayhem.

Rev. Mensah indicated that through God's mercy, Ghana had a peaceful election, therefore it was right for the country to celebrate.

In a word of exhortation by Rev. Father Ziem Mariano Kogh of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, he said the choice of the theme for the celebration by the President was a reflection of his quest to unite the nation irrespective of one's political, religious and tribal affiliation.

He said being united with one another was the only way forward for the nation to develop.

Rev. Father Kogh reminded Ghanaians of some trouble spots in Africa and the world and said the differences should be seen as complementary.

Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayorse of the Trinity Theological College who represented the Christian Council of Ghana, and Bishop James Saah, representing the Ghana Pentecostal Council, also gave some words of exhortation.

The programme which was scheduled to start at 3.00pm started on time with the President, accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Naadu Mills arriving in a modest convoy of two cars and two police escorts.

President Mills was dressed in white Agbada while the First Lady was dressed in beautiful kente.

The Second Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, Rt Hon Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Mills-Robertson, Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mrs. Georgina Wood, the Chief Justice, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, vice president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ghana, Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata and other dignitaries were in attendance.

The celebration also coincided with the final match of the African Youth Championship hosted by Rwanda where the National Under 20 team, the Black Satellites, beat their Cameroonian counterparts with two goals to nil to lift the trophy.

There were scriptural readings by the Chief Justice, who read Psalm 133:1-3 while the second scripture reading was done by the Speaker of Parliament.

Prayers were said for the Presidency by Apostle John Annan-Adotey, President, Ghana Pentecostal Council and the nation by Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, while Bishop Saah prayed for the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Music was provided by the Police Band, the Winneba Youth Choir, Dansoman Youth Choir, Tema Youth Choir, Rev. John Teye Youth Choir and Bernice of 'Jane and Bernice' fame.

The President was later dedicated to God as all the members of the clergy stretched their hands and prayed for him.

By Wisdom Peter Awuku