Accra, Nov. 23, GNA- Mr Edem Kodjo, Senior Minister of State in Togo on Thursday hailed Ghana's National Prayer Breakfast programme, saying the degree of commitment of Ghanaians towards God is a new beginning for Africa.

He said Africans could overcome their difficulties in the complex global setting if they submitted themselves to the blessings that came from the fear of the Lord.

Speaking after the Winneba Youth Choir and Mrs Amy Newman, an ace gospel musician had prepared the grounds at the Accra International Conference Centre, adorned with the national colours for the Third National Prayer Breakfast programme; Mr Kodjo called on God to open the hearts and minds of Africans to be able to understand him. He said prayer was a powerful session to prepare Africans to serve their communities better.

The former Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union, expressed the need for leaders on the Continent to nurture the vision of growth for Africa. "The potential of Africa is high but we need great leaders to be able to tap it," he noted.

To achieve this, Mr. Kodjo said Africa regional bodies such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) needed to be strengthened to get Africa out from poverty and the dependency syndrome. " The poor at the table of rich people is still poor," he explained.

Mr. Kodjo acclaimed the relations between Ghana and Togo as a committed interest, which is down to earth. He said the bilateral relations could be enhanced within the broad contest of the ECOWAS.

Mr Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, who represented President John Agyekum Kufuor, said the peace Ghana was enjoying is based on the determination of the people to serve God.

The Minister, who sermornised his address said although Ghana was a secular State, the citizenry always acknowledged God in all national assignments.

Mr Samuel Boafo, Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs said without prayer no nation or people could do anything and admonished Ghanaians to lean on God for direction and not their own understanding.

He said, the Golden Jubilee celebration of Ghana's Independence; next year would be a year of restoration if Ghanaians reflect soberly for God's leadership in the affairs of the nation.

Mrs Clavenda Bright Parker, Ambassador-at-large and Special Envoy of the President of Liberia, said God was behind the electoral victory of Mrs Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, who became the first woman Head of State in Africa.

She acknowledged the support Ghana gave her country during the years of civil war and prayed that God should reward the country 100 fold of what it offered to Liberia.

"When trials and temptations come our way we should be proud to acknowledge the power of prayer," she said.

Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, of the Supreme Court and member of the planning committee of the breakfast programme thanked God for his love and faithfulness for the past 49 years of Ghana as a nation and sought his blessing for the future.

"We continue to pray that this event will remind us of the true spirit of jubilee which is a time of relationships-prioritising people over material gain. As we celebrate God's honour may we be reminded that we are God's instruments and he is our Lord."

Professor Irene Odotei, of the University of Ghana, Legon, who delivered a special message, said despite the over 40 ethnic groups in the country, God had been able to forge co-existence and peace amongst them.

She asked people in affluent positions, especially the educated not to be haughty about their achievements, since whatever status they found themselves was a blessing or gift from God.