Today 7th January marks the Ninth Anniversary of the Fourth Republic. The last nine years has seen an un-interrupted Constitutional regime in Ghana, considered as a Novelty in the West African Sub-Region, which is bedeviled with strife and conflicts.

The day also marks the first anniversary of the Government of the New Patriotic Party NPP under the leadership of President J A Kufuor, which took over from the National Democratic Congress, NDC, exactly a year ago on Monday.

The anniversary is being marked with a Public Forum at the Accra International Conference Centre, where the President and other members Of Government The Democratic People’s Party, DPP in a congratulatory, message described the day as signifying Ghana’s Matured Political Culture.

The DPP asked Government to thoroughly explain the goals,objectives and Strategies of Positive Change as well as Zero Tolerance for Corruption. In the view of the DPP, without a clear definition and understanding of what these ideals are and stand for, individual interpretation could reduce them to mere slogans.

The DPP further acknowledges that even-though Positive change is a good thing, there is the cautious need to ensure that the change is just not that which is merely from the NDC to NPP. It rather expects that the Government will rise to the occasion and fulfill the socio-economic needs of Ghanaians.

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A People’s Assembly is underway at the Accra International Conference Center to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the 4th Republic. The people’s assembly is clear departure from national parades, which characterized previous activities marking day.
The day also marks the first anniversary of the NPP government, which officially took over from the NDC government exactly one year today. President Kufour is expected to interact with the public and answer questions on the socio-political and economic performance of the country since his ascension to the presidency.
In the past nine years Ghana has had an uninterrupted constitutional regime considered as a novelty in the West African sub-region, which is bedeviled with strives and conflicts.

Christians Commemorate 9th Anniversary Of 4th Republic

Jan 7 -- Christians throughout the country on Sunday marked the ninth anniversary of the fourth republic with church services and prayers for peace, unity and reconciliation of families, friends political parities and the nation as a whole.

At the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection, Rev. (Mrs.) Grace Joyce Ocran, assistant pastor who preached the sermon, urged Christians to help bring about the needed change that the country desired.

She said Christians could start this change if they developed the spirit of humility and obedience to the word of God, which teaches the tenets of peace, love and reconciliation.

Rev. Ocran, preaching on the theme, "The Universality of Christ" said the life of Christ brought about change throughout his years on earth and even in death and resurrection.

"If Christians today strive to lives that illustrate that of Christ, they could be called names, yet in the end more converts with a high sense of morality would be drawn to God helping to instil morality into the lives of many others in the society," she said.

Rev. Ocran urged Christians to re-examine their lives to determine where their allegiance or service was directed, whether to Christ who is light or to the devil who controls darkness and evil deeds."

She urged Ghanaians to allow Christ to become the guide in their lives "Since there is no other power or authority greater than that of Christ."

President Kufuor attends anniversary service

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday led some Ministers of State to join worshippers at the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) for the special anniversary church service in Accra.

President Kufuor clad in a white silky cloth and accompanied by his wife Theresa was given a deafening applause when they were ushered into the church hall for the service marking the ninth anniversary celebration of the Fourth Republic.

Reverend Dr Mensa Otabil, Senior Pastor of the Church in a sermon said it was important for Ghanaians to discern the counsel of God and the devices of man in all their endeavours.

"The counsel that lasts is the counsel of God," Rev. Otabil said. He called on Ghanaians to begin the second year of the present government "with an open, thankful, listening, willing and believing heart because the Lord is always good and with such qualities the year 2002 will be a better one for the nation."

Reverend Otabil prayed to God to give President Kufuor and the government wisdom to lead the country.

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Education who expressed the government's appreciation to the church said under the leadership of President Kufuor the country would move forward.

He appealed to all religious bodies to continue to pray for the government to overcome the socio-economic challenges facing the country.