The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has joined the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, on Tuesday, the New Year’s Day at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to give thanks to God at a special New Year Thanksgiving Service.

In attendance were Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Asantehene, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Rev Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Asante Presbytery Chairperson, Rev Benson Sarfo-Kantanka, the Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, immediate past General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, a cross section of traditional rulers, professionals, technocrats and the clergy.

It was all joy as the church rose to welcome the Asantehene, beautifully dressed in his rich “kente” cloth adorned with gold ornaments amidst the singing of Presbyterian hymns.

The programme, which was organized under the auspices of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), was the ninth since it was first held at the Peyer Memorial Congregation at Bantama in Kumasi in 2011 under the Church’s “Mission to the Palace” project, a programme designed to reach out to traditional rulers with the Word of God.

Preaching the sermon on the theme; “Behold I make all things new”, the Right Rev Obiri Yeboah Mante urged Ghanaians to support the government of the day led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to succeed in order to move the nation forward.

He said Ghanaians should eschew attitudes of backbiting and pull him down syndrome and rather come out with positive ideas to help develop the nation.

The Moderator gave the assurance that the church would continue to collaborate with the traditional authorities to find solutions to the numerous problems confronting the Ghanaian society.

Rt Rev Prof Mante commended the traditional authorities for their support to the church since its establishment and added that the church would not also renege on its promise of supporting them in their bid to get closer to God.

He also commended Otumfuo for modernizing the Asante tradition, especially the chieftaincy institution, making it more attractive devoid of conflicts and disputes.

Right Rev. Mante expressed concern about the environmental degradation in Ghana and affirmed the Church’s unflinching support for the national fight against the canker.

He said the church had noted with grave concern the devastating effects of unwarranted destruction of the country’s vegetative cover, farmlands and river bodies and pledged to use the various forms of advocacy platforms and channels at its disposal to intensify the campaign against the menace.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended the church for its resolve to deepen relationship with traditional rulers, saying the two institutions had something in common as they were all committed to serving the people.

He also commended the church for being worthy partners of the state in development.

The Asantehene called for unity among the people since there could not be any meaningful development without peace.

He acknowledged efforts of the Church to enhance educational and health development in its own small way to mitigate the plight of the people.

He said the church should not relent in its avowed agenda to ensure total progress of the people.

Very Rev. Dr Sam Prempeh, former Moderator of the PCG, led the congregation to pray for the nation and Asantehene.

He said they should also foster good relationship with their neighbours and be law-abiding to enhance social harmony.