Nation Holds Thanksgiving Service

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday, joined a large number of Ghanaians for the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service held at the Independence Square in Accra, with a call on Ghanaians to be agents of peace. The annual thanksgiving service which is part of the activities marking the 55th Independence anniversary, attracted a large number of people, including Ministers of State, members of Parliament, the Judiciary, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the clergy, traditional leaders, executives and members of the various political parties who worshipped together to give thanks to God for His blessings for the nation. Special prayers were said for the nation, particularly for the peaceful elections in December. In a brief address, President Mills said that although God continues to bless the nation, Ghanaians would have to continue to pray and act peacefully. Reminding the citizenry of the need to be grateful to God, he said, �It�s only God who can add His seal of approval to our efforts.� �We all want a peaceful Ghana, and as humans we must act in ways that are pleasing to God,� he said. According to him, one way of ensuring that the general elections were conducted peacefully was to cooperate with the Electoral Commission for an effective voter registration exercise. He exhorted Ghanaians to continue to seek the face of God at all times, saying �we are grateful for his unmerited favour. Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the Pentecostal Council of Ghana, who delivered the sermon, titled, �being Agents of Peace,� stated that people who used foul means to achieve their objectives would not have peace, and urged Ghanaians not to take the peace currently being enjoyed for granted, saying that without the grace of God, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.� He said it would be suicidal for Ghanaians to think that the country was matured enough not to slip into troubled situations, adding that �we all need to act as agents of peace.� To be agents of peace, he said one has to live at peace with other, seek only the truth, refrain from passing false judgment on others, leave revenge to God and be faithful to God. The service, which was characterized with singing of praises and dancing, had scripture readings from the acting Chief Justice, His Lordship William Atuguba (1 Samuel 25:23-25) and Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Joyce Banford-Addo (Romans 12:9-21). There was a remarkable sight to behold as a group of female members of the ruling NDC and opposition NPP joined in dancing and singing to give praise to God.