Kumasi, July 1, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on all Ghanaians to endeavour to sustain the tempo of the nationalistic zeal and carry the torch of development forward in the quest for better Ghana.

He said that the nationalistic feelings demonstrated in support of the Black Stars during the on-going World Cup tournament be sustained and extended to all sectors of national life and programmes. Mr Owusu-Ansah was speaking at the 24th Republic Day prayer meeting held at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi on Saturday. The meeting was organized by the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council and supported by the Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Pentecostal Council, the Catholic Secretariat and the Kumasi Ministers' Fellowship.

Service Commanders, Reverend Ministers, heads of departments and traditional rulers attended the meeting, which was to offer praises and thanksgiving to God for the peace, blessings and development to the nation and to pray for leaders of the nation and the continuous progress and prosperity for the people of Ghana.

The Regional Minister said, as the nation gets closer to the Golden Jubilee anniversary of nationhood, there was the need for all to be expectant of God's blessings in the form of political stability, economic prosperity and promotion of mutual respect among one another. Mr Owusu-Ansah said 93the political stability the country enjoys now is a sign of God's blessings on the country, stressing, as a people we are no better than our neighbours in the surrounding countries, where there is civil strife".

He appealed to all Ghanaians, especially people in Kumasi to eschew destructive criticisms, corruption, dishonesty, armed robbery, indiscipline, immorality and all forms of crime and malfeasance that would not only prevent the counting of the blessings from God but could also serve as recipe for retardation of development. The Regional Minister stressed the need for the people in the region to continue to support the NPP government and also give him, the minister their unflinching support so that together they would deliver and sustain the country's development.

Reverend John Borham, the Ashanti Regional Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, in a sermon said the year of jubilee was a year of liberty, prosperity and blessing and a year of visitation, when the goodness and benevolence of God were manifested among people. He said, there was the need for all Ghanaians, especially Christians to continue to pray for the progress of the country and the welfare of the leaders and development of all. He asked the congregation to remain patriotic and allow national interest to supersede their personal agenda, while they pursue peace and justice in all aspects of their lives.