President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday urged Ghanaians to exhibit greater tolerance and goodwill and to promote unity and oneness irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political inclination to ensure national cohesion and development.

“Let us continue to stay as one different people, different religion, and different beliefs but united as Ghanaians and united in our vision of developing our country as a free, prosperous nation that is governed according to the rule of law and where human rights are respected.

“That is the vision of the founders of our nation and it is the vision that we have to continue to realise in our times,” he said at the national thanksgiving prayers to mark Ghana’s 60th anniversary at the Central Mosque at Abossey Okai, near Accra.

President Akufo-Addo said Ghana as a nation had gone through a lot of difficulties and it was time that the nation stood together in peace and unity, adding, “We have to be united in vision in developing this country”.

He prayed the Almighty God would continue to bless Ghana and give wisdom and strength to those he had appointed to guide the affairs of the country.

“I seek from Him the Almighty wisdom, strength, compassion, and courage to do the right things to all manner of people in Ghana without ill-will or malice and without favour to anyone.”

The President called on Muslims to pray for wisdom for him to execute his duties as the president, adding, “At this time I pray that the Almighty will only continue to bless our nation.”

He expressed gratitude to Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu for his continued support and requested prayers for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to be able to shoulder the weight of the work that he had to do to bring Ghana out of its present economic challenges.

“I thank the Chief Imam for his leadership in our country. He is one of the most prominent spiritual forces in Ghana and long may he continue to live and help our country, and I also ask him to pray for his son who has a big job on his shoulders,” he added