Religion of Sunday, 27 May 2007

Source: GNA

Ghana Evangelical Society marks AU Day

Accra, May 27, GNA - The Ghana Evangelical Society, on Sunday held its 10th Special Africa Day Church service in Accra, to mark the 44th anniversary of Africa Day, with a call on Ghanaian politicians to derive their strength from God to improve on their chances of winning the 2008 General Election.

The service, commemorating African Union Day, which was observed in Ghana on May 25, 2007 with a national holiday was dubbed: "Jubilee Year Africa Day Worship Service" on the theme: " Celebrating Liberty, Joy and Hope in God for Africa."

Brother Immanuel Enoch Agbozo, Head of the Mission stressed: "Indeed the worship of God has become the core and cementing element for peace, liberty, joy and hope for the nation and people of Ghana. No political party, no politician, no government can have access to the spirits, hearts and minds of Ghanaians if they play foul with the worship, knowledge, obedience and service of God." He said the prayers and fasting by Christians for economic and material prosperity would never materialise if the people entrusted with political authority were agents of the forces of darkness and embedded in corruption.

Brother Agbozo said the annual Africa Day worship services constituted strong and proven evidence that Ghana was on the right path. "By the mercies of the Creator Himself, Ghana has been reconciled with God, delivered from satanic dominion and Satan-idol worship, religion and culture and reconciled with God.

"Ghana is now in a state of peace, liberty, joy and hope. Her political, economic and social processes are growing robust in the knowledge, fear and worship of God and Christ." Bro Agbozo said Ghana had been redeemed and made a nation and people holy unto God.

" By the mercies and working hand of God, the mantle of chairmanship of Continental Africa Union was placed on Ghana." Mr Abraham Dwomoh Odoom, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, who represented President John Agyekum Kufuor, at the special church service, said the ruling New Patriotic Party, which derived its strength from the Busia-Danquah tradition, was firmly rooted in the belief of God.

He said President Kufuor had a very strong faith in God and called on the citizenry to pray unceasingly for him. Mr Odoom said God had always intervened on behalf of the President and cited an intercessory prayer session in Ethiopia, where there was a prophecy that the Head of State was to become the next Chairman of the AU in 2007. He said there was another revelation about the technical problems of an aircraft President Kufuor was flying from Libya that nearly claimed his life in 2005.

The Ghanaian renowned poet and President of the Pan African Writers Association, Professor Atukwei Okai received prolonged cheers and a standing ovation when he thrilled the congregation with a poem and "an ode to the King of Glory".

He tasked religious leaders to preach about the unity of Africa and not political situations that are inimical to the interest of mankind. Prof. Okai said the religious bodies must take over the movement for the unification of Africa with the same zeal their counterparts in South Africa took on the fight against apartheid. Ace Gospel Musician, Ms Stella Aba Seal also held the congregation spellbound with hymns and other gospel songs. 27 May 07