Accra, Dec.20, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday reiterated his call on Ghanaians to forgive him for any action that offended any person during his eight-year tenure of office. "As I am stepping down, I admit that as human as I am, my actions might not please everybody. But Kufuor would like to tell them that it was not deliberate, the nature of the work would not favour everybody," he said.

President Kufuor made the call a national thanksgiving service organised by members of Aglow International, a non-denominational Christian group at the Independence Square in Accra. He expressed concern about the negative propaganda in the media about his plea for forgiveness saying: "I would not pretend to be perfect because I cannot be in power for eight years without trampling on some toes"

President Kufuor expressed appreciation to the group for supporting Ghana and his administration with prayers. He was confident that Ghana's fortunes had improved under his administration and earned her a good recognition in Africa and the world.

"I am not boasting. Any objective person can attest to this. I have travelled around the world and everywhere I go it is evident that I have performed creditably," President Kufuor said. President Kufuor said he first had interaction with Aglow in 2000 when contesting for the Presidential election to solicit their prayers to win the elections.

"As I am about to leave, I have come to thank you for your sustained prayers for me throughout these years and urge you to continue to pray for the country".

He commended members of Aglow for their fervent prayers despite all odds, saying "You are truly the mothers and daughters of the land". On the December 28, Presidential run-off, President Kufuor said Ghana was looking forward to fair and credible election that would truly represent the decision of the citizenry. He therefore, called for the support of all and sundry to avoid any acts that would discredit results of the election. Mrs Dorothy Danso, National President of Aglow in a speech read on her behalf, expressed appreciation to God for the peace, security and tranquillity in Ghana throughout the year and during the December 7 polls. She said God's grace would continue to abound on Ghana and urged Christians to excel in their work despite all challenges in 2009, which she described "as a year of rest". Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, National Prayer Director of Aglow, led the congregation of about 3,000 mostly women through the prayer session with songs by Winneba Youth Choir, Tambourine Choir and other artistes. Other dignitaries at the service were, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, wife of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate for Election 2008, Madam Ama Busia, Member of Council of State, Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of Ghana Journalists Association and Reverend Yaw Owusu-Ansah, of Resurrection Power and Living Bread Ministry. 20 Dec. 08