Accra, March 14, GNA - Ghanaians on Sunday ended a week of fasting and prayers with a national thanksgiving service at the Independence Square, Accra under the theme:" Celebrating God's Goodness."

As if to demonstrate the power of God over the elements, the weather i= n Accra just after 1200 noon became overcast and many thought it was going to rain to disrupt the service, but as turned out it was rather to cool the atmosphere for the service.

Preaching the sermon, the Reverend Dr Nii Amoo Darku, Member of the Council of State and Co-chairman of the Planning Committee, gave thanks to God for the nation of Ghana, and for the achievement of the Government in its first year in office.

He observed that God had been good to Ghana in ensuring peaceful elections and the subsequent international recognition for its democratic governance; the historic visit of US President Barrack Obama, the peace in the country and the present tolerance and accommodative politics.

Rev. Dr Darku said God had also been good to Ghana for her successes in the field of sports 96 the Black Satellites winning of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt; Black Stars becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa; the Black Stars reaching the finals of the last African Cup of Nations held in Angola and the qualification of the National Under-17 Male Hockey team to represent Africa in Singapore in August at the Nadine Hockey Olympics.

"For this goodness of the Lord and many more victorious sporting events, we give thanks," Rev Dr Darku said.

He called for national and individual repentance, explaining that "we (Ghanaians) have sinned against God, our country and against one another. "We have loved pleasure rather than God=85 We have sinned and provoked God by the worship of the god of money and the worship of political figures= , sporting events and properties." Rev. Dr Darku said Ghanaians have been exploiting one another; stealing through non-payment of taxes; misusing of working hours; depleting of the forest; creating of filth and other forms of environmental pollution= .. Other forms of transgressions, he said were ungratefulness; being unforgiving; slander; armed robbery and the brutalization of innocent citizens; spouse battering; shirking of parental responsibilities and children neglecting their aged parents.

"We have sinned and need to repent. It is only after we have sincere= ly repented of ours sins and turned to God for his mercies and forgiveness tha= t we will continue to enjoy the steadfast love of God and his manifold blessings and goodness," Rev Dr Darku said.

Rev Moses Sumaila, Acting Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, in supplicating mood cried unto God in a prayer of confession, pleading for forgiveness of the nation's sins since it was established. The prayer grounds became dead silent and a drop of a pin could be heard as the man of God rolled out the confessions of the nation. Prayers were also said for the Ministers of State and for Leaders at the Local Government Level; Parliament; Judiciary and the Media. The other areas were the Agricultural Sector; the Economy; the Energy Sector; Women and Children; National Security; Traditional Leaders; Education and Moral Regeneration; Revival and God's Blessing. During the songs ministration, the ecumenical spirit and unity in diversity in the Body of Christ came to the fore as the Clergy and Laity from different Christian denominations waved white handkerchiefs and danced praising God in anticipation of His abundant mercies for the year and the years ahead.