Let’s Pray For Divine Intervention -JAK

Cape Coast Aug.14 GNA-President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Sunday said it was time for Ghanaians to intensify their prayers to seek to reconnect with God for forgiveness, peace and prosperity in the country. He said, "Ghanaians should admit that since independence 48 years ago, we have erred on the path of nation building, fellow-feeling has been in short supply in our politics, greed and abuse of position at all levels of our society have been prevalent and that we have not feared God enough."

President Kufuor said this at an interdenominational thanksgiving church service held at the Victoria Park in Cape Coast.

The service, which was attended by traditional rulers, District Chief Executives, MPs and a cross-section of the public was to thank God for the successful 2004 general election.

President Kufuor called for prayers for God's blessing guidance and peace for the Central Region and Ghana.

"We must also seek God's help as we embark on new development programmes in this region, especially the agricultural programmes we expect to take off in the near future , as well as the projects we have for the fishing and tourist industries," he added.

President Kufuor said politics should be about making a difference for the better to everybody's life and with the deepening of democracy in Ghana, God is giving Ghanaians a unique opportunity to change their lives to change conditions in the districts, regions and the country, "so let us respond positively to that call."

He pledged to rehabilitate the Victoria Park in appreciation of the regions' contribution to the government's return to power. In a sermon, Right Reverend Daniel Allotey, Anglican Bishop of Cape Coast told the President that, as the "chosen one of God", his attitude should be in the righteousness of God and should therefore be in a covenant with the people of Ghana , the sub region and Africa in terms of development.

He called on chiefs and opinion leaders to desist from the practice of waiting for state Ministers to visit them before they put forth their requests for developmental projects and "worst of all, to remind the President or any minister of state of a previous promise yet to be fulfilled."

He said new things were happening and they too should change, stressing that instead of waiting for another state visit to remind the President of previous promises they should make immediate follow-ups after his visits.

Mr Isaac Edumadze Central Regional Minister, said the region decided to hold the commemorative service to thank God sincerely for the mercies and favours already bestowed on the government and people of Ghana.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Oguaahene thanked the President for visiting the region and appealed for the payment of royalties on the Cape Coast and Elmina castles.