Ghanaians should always endeavour to offer prayers for the first and second families of the country to help execute the task of managing the affairs of the country efficiently, President Akufo-Addo has said.

Mr Akufo-Addo, who made this call during in a speech on Sunday, January 8 at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, when he was hosted by the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, humorously asked Ghanaians to pray for his wife so that she takes it easy on him.

The president, in an elated mood, admitted that his wife wanted the best for him but requested prayers for the First Lady so she would not scold him as she used to.

“Some of the prayers should also go to my beautiful lady, Rebecca, whom the people of Osu have given to me as a wife. She scolds me too much. I know she wants the best for me but pray to God to make her relax a bit,” Mr Akufo-Addo indicated.

“We have come for blessings and also ask all of you to pray for me for wisdom, confidence, and a good heart to be a great president for Ghana. Don’t forget Mahamudu Bawumia, too, in your prayers. There is a huge task ahead, so Ghanaians should pray for us.” Calling for prayers for Samira Bawumia, wife of the vice-president, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “We saw Samira during the campaign, she was very vocal. I think she was the one whose speech worried John Mahama the most. God should protect and guide her so that she can help Bawumia.

Mr Akufo-Addo also promised Ghanaians that his government and appointees would work for the wellbeing of Ghanaians and be servants to the nation.

Mr Akufo Addo was emphatic that his government would not be domineering, saying: “We (the New Patriotic Party government) have come to serve and depict humility in our speech and deeds for Ghanaians to know that we have something good in us for which purpose we persisted until Ghanaians gave us the mandate to govern.”

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was on Saturday January 7 sworn in as the fifth president of Ghana under the Fourth Republic.

Several dignitaries and foreign diplomats graced the occasion, which saw the president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, as the special guest of honour.

The presidents of Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya, Egdar Lungu, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Uhuru Kenyatta, respectively, were present.

Other prominent persons who graced the occasion were Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Indonesia’s Joko Widodo, Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali and a representative each from Mauritius and the USA. Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote was also present.

Members of parliament, opposition political party leaders, the clergy, traditional rulers and a section of Ghanaians clad in white and NPP apparel witnessed the ceremony.

Mr Akufo-Addo beat ex-president John Mahama and five other candidates in the December 7 election by securing 53.85 per cent of valid votes cast to win the contest for the presidency.

He is expected to implement policies to improve the economy, create jobs, and place the country on a developmental pedestal among others.