From Benjamin Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent, New York

New York, Sept. 25, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday prayed for divine blessings for all Ghanaians as he appealed for unity, hard work and strong faith devoid of party colours to carry out national aspirations to build a better nation.

"May God bless all Ghanaians.It is my prayer that God makes our nation greater and stronger," President Mills said, as he interacted with the Ghanaian community in the US, a few hours after addressing the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. President Mills repeated his assurance to be father for all Ghanaians and said with the elections over, what was now required was national unity and support for government to move the nation forward. He said Government would build on the solid foundation it has established and work to carry out the onerous responsibility that been entrusted to it and to build a better Ghana.

President Mills thanked Ghanaians living abroad for their sacrifice to support their homeland, but advised that they needed to get the true picture "and separate the grain from the chaff" on information they received about events back at home.

The President called for differences to be put aside, 'while we forged ahead since the past could never be rebuilt but the future could be shaped.'

"We are Ghanaians with one common objective, and common destiny," President Mills said, and called on Ghanaians, irrespective of their political leanings to stand solidly behind the Government and move the nation forward.

"There is hope. It is only hard work, faith and hope which will take us to the kind of land we want to see of our dear nation," President Mills said. Mr. James Victor Gbeho, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Policy, said Government had resolved never to seek vengeance to ensure national political stability.

Other speakers, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry and Mrs. Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Information, all appealed to Ghanaians in the Diaspora to come back home and assist with their expertise. Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), said the issue of multiple citizenship had been resolved and Ghanaians could be granted back their citizenship within 14 days upon application to the Ministry of the Interior. Such persons could, however, still not hold certain national positions, he said, but added that this was also being considered in the proposed constitutional review which would come off next year. 25 Sept. 09