Most Reverend Philip Naameh, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale has admonished Christians to take advantage of failures to improve upon their lives instead of living in desperation.

“You must always have faith in God to overcome darkness with light,” he said.

Most Rev Naameh who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ghana was officiating a mass service at the Ola Catholic Cathedral Church in Tamale on Saturday night which ushered the congregation into 2017.

Many Christians in Tamale joined others across the world in fervent prayers and thanksgiving worship to thank God over the past years and seeking for prosperous 2017.

“Thank God that you are here today, there are many people who started the year with us but cannot be with us here”, he said.

He said there was the need for Ghanaians to strengthen their relationship with God faithfully for eternal blessings.

Most Rev Naameh expressed optimism that 2017 was going to be better in the lives of many people in the areas of business, education and in relationships with one another.

He advised the citizenry to be God fearing, forgive their neighbours when they offend them and share with them what they have in fulfilment of the teachings of the gospel.